Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Durable Goods: Hardware, and Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies Inventories
I4237IM144SCEN • Economic Data from Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)
Latest Value
46,752.00
Year-over-Year Change
8.41%
Date Range
1/1/1992 - 6/1/2025
Summary
This economic indicator tracks the inventory levels of durable goods, including hardware, plumbing, and heating equipment and supplies, held by merchant wholesalers. It provides insights into the supply chain and wholesaler activity in the U.S. economy.
Analysis & Context
This economic indicator provides valuable insights into current market conditions and economic trends. The data is updated regularly by the Federal Reserve and represents one of the most reliable sources for economic analysis.
Understanding this metric helps economists, policymakers, and investors make informed decisions about economic conditions and future trends. The interactive chart above allows you to explore historical patterns and identify key trends over time.
About This Dataset
The Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Durable Goods: Hardware, and Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies Inventories series measures the total dollar value of inventories held by merchant wholesalers of these specific durable goods. It is a key indicator of wholesale trade and can signal changes in supply and demand in these product categories.
Methodology
The data is collected through monthly surveys of merchant wholesalers by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Historical Context
This inventory data is closely watched by economists and policymakers to assess the health of the wholesale trade sector and broader economic conditions.
Key Facts
- Covers merchant wholesalers of hardware, plumbing, and heating equipment.
- Measures total dollar value of inventories, not physical quantities.
- Data is collected monthly by the U.S. Census Bureau.
FAQs
Q: What does this economic trend measure?
A: This indicator tracks the inventory levels of durable goods like hardware, plumbing, and heating equipment held by merchant wholesalers in the United States.
Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?
A: Monitoring this wholesale inventory data provides insights into supply chain dynamics and the overall health of the durable goods sector, which is valuable information for economists, policymakers, and market analysts.
Q: How is this data collected or calculated?
A: The data is collected through monthly surveys of merchant wholesalers conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?
A: Wholesale inventories are closely watched as an indicator of overall economic activity and can inform monetary and fiscal policy decisions by the Federal Reserve and government.
Q: Are there update delays or limitations?
A: The data is published monthly by the U.S. Census Bureau with a typical 1-2 month lag, and may be subject to revisions.
Related Trends
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Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Nondurable Goods: Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods Sales
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Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Nondurable Goods: Beer, Wine, and Distilled Alcoholic Beverages Inventories/Sales Ratio
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Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Durable Goods: Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Inventories
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Citation
U.S. Federal Reserve, Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Durable Goods: Hardware, and Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies Inventories (I4237IM144SCEN), retrieved from FRED.