The American Supply Association’s Monthly Pulse Report shows member wholesaler-distributors had a median sales increase of 3.7% in September compared to the same month in 2016.

However, industrial pipe, valves and fittings member distributors reported a median sales increase for September of only 0.1% compared to the same timeframe a year ago.

Calendar year-to-date, all respondents reported median sales growth of 5.7% and the median increase for the trailing 12 months is 5.9%.

Inventories rose 5% compared to the prior year and the median three-month average days sales outstanding increased from 43.7 to 44.1 days.

Only 44.4% of the respondents reported an increase in gross-margin percentages for the month and company YTD profit before taxes increased for 65% of the total sample.

The percentage of all respondents having more full-time-equivalent employees compared to a year ago increased from 51.8% in August to 55.6% in September.