American Supply Associationmember wholesaler-distributors reported a median sales growth of 6.3% for the month ending April 30 compared to the same month last year.

Calendar year-to-date, all respondents to ASA’s Monthly Pulse survey reported a median sales increase of 7.2% and the median increase for the trailing 12 months is 5.2%.

Survey respondents reported inventory rose 3.6% compared to a year ago and the median three-months average dales sales outstanding edged up to 45.3 days.

Nearly 54% of ASA-member respondents reported an increase in gross margin percentages and company YTD profit before taxes increased for more than 55% of the total sample. Two-thirds of respondents reported having more full-time-equivalent employees compared to a year ago.

Performance for the industrial pipe, valves and fittings segment paints a somewhat different picture. PVF distributors reported a median sales growth of only 2% for the month compared to the same last year. Calendar year-to-date, PVF respondents reported a median sales increase of 3.8% and the median increase for the trailing 12 months is 1.5%. Inventory rose 8.3% compared to a year ago and the median three-months average DSOs increased from 44 days in March to 47 in April. PVF respondents to the survey reporting an increase in company YTD profit before taxes decreased from 50% in March to 46.7% in April.