Sales
October 2006 sales of merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers’ sales branches and offices, were $327.8 billion, down 0.5 percent from the revised September level, but were up 5.9 percent from the October 2005 level. The September preliminary estimate was revised downward $2.2 billion or 0.7 percent. October sales of durable goods decreased 0.4 percent from last month, but were up 6.3 percent from a year ago. Compared to last month, sales of machinery, equipment and supplies were down 3.3 percent, while sales of motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and supplies, increased 2.5 percent. October sales of nondurable goods were down 0.6 percent from last month, but were up 5.5 percent from last year.
Inventories
Total inventories of merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers’ sales branches and offices, after adjustment for seasonal variations but not for price changes, were $392.9 billion at the end of October, up 0.8 percent from last month and were up 10.1 percent from a year ago. The September preliminary estimate was revised downward $0.8 billion or 0.2 percent. End-of-month inventories of durable goods increased 0.7 percent (+/-0.3%) from September and were up 11.0 percent from last October. Compared to last month, inventories of electrical and electronic goods increased 2.8 percent.
Inventories/Sales Ratio
The October inventories/sales ratio for merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers’ sales branches and offices, based on seasonally adjusted data, was 1.20. The October 2005 ratio was 1.15.
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