Merchant Wholesaler Sales Rose 1.0% in April

Washington, DC, June 9, 2016— April 2016 sales of merchant wholesalers were $434.2 billion, up 1.0% from the revised March level, but were down 2.6% from the April 2015 level, the U.S. Census Bureau has announced.

The March preliminary estimate was revised downward $0.7 billion or 0.2%. April sales of durable goods were up 0.4% from last month, but were down 1.4% from a year ago. Sales of motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and supplies were up 1.6% from last month, while sales of electrical and electronic goods were down 2.7%. Sales of nondurable goods were up 1.5% from March, but were down 3.8% from last April. Sales of petroleum and petroleum products were up 9.0% from last month.

Total inventories of merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers’ sales branches and offices were $587.9 billion at the end of April, up 0.6% from the revised March level and were up 0.9% from the April 2015 level. The March preliminary estimate was revised upward $0.7 billion or 0.1%. April inventories of durable goods were up 0.2% from last month, but were down 1.8% from a year ago. Inventories of lumber and other construction materials were up 1.3% from last month, while inventories of computer and computer peripheral equipment and software were down 3.0%. Inventories of nondurable goods were up 1.3% from March and were up 5.5% from last April. Inventories of farm product raw materials were up 7.5% from last month and inventories of drugs and druggists' sundries were up 2.2%.

The April inventories/sales ratio for merchant wholesalers based on seasonally adjusted data, was 1.35. The April 2015 ratio was 1.31.