American Supply Association distributor members reported a median sales growth of 8% for the month ending Feb. 29, 2016 vs. February 2015, according to the group’s Monthly Pulse Report.

For the calendar year-to-date, respondents reported a median sales growth of 5.9% and a median increase in sales of 5.2% for the trailing 12 months ending Feb. 29, 2016. Respondents reported inventories rose 3.1% for February 2016 vs. 2015. The median three-month average days sales outstanding fell to 44 days for February.

Nearly 44% of survey participants reported an increase in gross margin percentages for February 2016 vs. 2015, while company year-to-date profit before tax increased for 53% of respondents. More than half of respondents (57%) reported having more full-time equivalent employees vs. a year ago.