April 2006 sales of merchant wholesalers were $319.9 billion, up 1.3 percent from the revised March level and were up 10.1 percent from the April 2005 level. The March preliminary estimate was revised upward $0.7 billion or 0.2 percent. April sales of durable goods decreased 0.3 percent from March, but were up 7.3 percent from a year ago. Sales of hardware, and plumbing and heating equipment and supplies increased 2.2 percent from March. April sales of nondurable goods increased 2.9 percent from March and were up 12.8 percent from last year. Sales of petroleum and petroleum products grew 8.7 percent from March.
Inventories. Total inventories of merchant wholesalers were $371.3 billion at the end of April, up 0.9 percent from March, and were up 6.6 percent from a year ago. The March preliminary estimate was revised upward $1.1 billion or 0.3 percent. End-of-month inventories of durable goods increased 1.2 percent from March and were up 7.8 percent from last April. Inventories of motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and supplies increased 2.8 percent from March and metals and minerals, except petroleum were up 2.4 percent. End-of-month inventories of nondurable goods increased 0.5 percent from March and were up 4.8 percent compared to last April. Inventories of drugs and druggists’ sundries increased 1.1 percent from March.
Inventories/Sales Ratio. The April inventories/sales ratio for merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers’ sales branches and offices, based on seasonally adjusted data, was 1.16. The April 2005 ratio was 1.20.
For a breakdown by sector, click on Related Document below.
