ASA member wholesaler-distributors reported a median sales increase of 10.0 percent for the month ending November 30, 2016, compared to the same month last year. 

Calendar year-to-date, all respondents reported median sales growth of 4.2 percent, and the median increase for the trailing twelve months is also 4.2 percent.  Inventory rose 2.1 percent compared to a year ago, and the median three-months average days sales outstanding increased to 44.0 days.  Nearly two-thirds of the respondents reported an increase in gross margin percentages for November, 2016 versus 2015, and company YTD profit before taxes increased for 54.4 percent of the total sample. For the first time in many months, less than one-half of respondents reported having more Full-Time Equivalent employees compared to a year ago.

Industrial PVF distributors reported a median sales increase of 8.5 percent for the month compared to the same last year.  Calendar year-to-date, PVF respondents reported a median sales increase of 0.8 percent, but a median decrease for the trailing twelve months is -0.9 percent. Inventories grew 3.0 percent compared to a year ago, and the median three-months average DSOs increased from 42.2 days in October to 43.4 in November. PVF respondents reporting an increase in company YTD profit before taxes increased from 46.7 percent in October to 50.0 percentin November.

Based on the number of respondents reporting, this installment of the report also provides additional detailed performance results by the various demographic categories, including sales volume, primary business emphasis, regions and 20 specific market areas.

ASA’s Monthly Pulse Report provides a regular snapshot of performance for the PHCP-PVF industry. The participation deadline for the December, 2016, report was January 12th.