From the American Supply Association’s Monthly Pulse Report, member distributors reported a median sales drop of 3.8% for the month ending July 31, 2016 vs. 2015.
However, for the calendar year-to-date, respondents to the Monthly Pulse survey reported a median sales growth of 5.0% and a median increase in sales of 4.7% for the trailing 12 months ending July 31, 2016.
Inventory rose 0.6% for July 2016 compared to July 2015. The median three-month average days sales outstanding rose to 44.7 days for July.
Nearly half (49%) of survey participants reported an increase in gross-margin percentages for July 2016 vs. 2015. Company YTD profit before tax increased for 49% of respondents. Fifty-two percent of respondents reported having more full-time equivalent employees compared to a year ago.
