Merchant Wholesaler Sales Rose 0.5% in May

Washington, DC, July 12, 2016— May 2016 sales of merchant wholesalers were $435.5 billion, up 0.5% from the revised April level, but were down 2.5% from the May 2015 level, the U.S. Census Bureau announced.

The April preliminary estimate was revised downward $1.0 billion or 0.2%. May sales of durable goods were up 0.6% from last month, but were down 0.6% from a year ago. Sales of computer and computer peripheral equipment and software were up 3.8% from last month and sales of electrical and electronic goods were up 2.4%. Sales of nondurable goods were up 0.5% from April, but were down 4.1% from last May. Sales of petroleum and petroleum products were up 5.6% from last month.

Total inventories of merchant wholesalers were $589.2 billion at the end of May, up 0.1% from the revised April level and were up 0.5% from the May 2015 level. The April preliminary estimate was revised upward $0.5 billion or 0.1%. May inventories of durable goods were up 0.1% from last month, but were down 2.3% from a year ago. Inventories of computer and computer peripheral equipment and software were up 1.9% from last month, while inventories of motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and supplies were down 1.9%. Inventories of nondurable goods were up 0.2% from April and were up 5.1% from last May. Inventories of farm product raw materials were up 5.9% from last month, while inventories of drugs and druggists’ sundries were down 3.6%.

The May inventories/sales ratio for merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers’ sales branches and offices, based on seasonally adjusted data, was 1.35. The May 2015 ratio was 1.31.