Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Durable Goods: Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Parts and Supplies Inventories/Sales Ratio
This dataset tracks merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers' sales branches and offices: durable goods: motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and supplies inventories/sales ratio over time.
Latest Value
1.69
Year-over-Year Change
-8.65%
Date Range
1/1/1992 - 6/1/2025
Summary
The Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Durable Goods: Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Parts and Supplies Inventories/Sales Ratio tracks the inventory-to-sales ratio for wholesalers of motor vehicles and related parts. This metric is a key indicator of supply chain health and economic conditions in the automotive industry.
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
This ratio measures the level of motor vehicle and parts inventories held by wholesale merchants relative to their sales. It provides insight into supply-demand dynamics, inventory management, and the broader state of the motor vehicle market. Economists and policymakers monitor this indicator to assess production, consumption, and business investment trends.
Methodology
The data is collected through surveys of U.S. merchant wholesalers and calculated as the ratio of inventories to sales.
Historical Context
The inventories/sales ratio is widely used to analyze economic conditions and inventory cycles in the automotive and transportation sectors.
Key Facts
- The ratio ranges from 0 to 1, with higher values indicating more inventory relative to sales.
- The U.S. monthly inventories/sales ratio for motor vehicle wholesalers averaged 1.20 from 2010 to 2022.
- Fluctuations in this ratio can signal changes in production, consumer demand, and business confidence.
FAQs
Q: What does this economic trend measure?
A: This trend measures the ratio of inventories to sales for merchant wholesalers of motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and supplies. It provides insight into supply-demand dynamics and inventory management in the automotive industry.
Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?
A: The inventories/sales ratio is a key indicator of economic conditions and production cycles in the automotive sector. It helps analysts and policymakers assess the health of the supply chain, consumer demand, and business investment.
Q: How is this data collected or calculated?
A: The data is collected through surveys of U.S. merchant wholesalers and calculated as the ratio of inventories to sales.
Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?
A: The inventories/sales ratio is widely used by economists, analysts, and policymakers to monitor and interpret economic conditions and inventory cycles in the automotive and transportation industries.
Q: Are there update delays or limitations?
A: The data is published monthly by the U.S. Federal Reserve with a typical lag of 1-2 months. There may be limitations in coverage or reporting accuracy for some wholesaler segments.
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Citation
U.S. Federal Reserve, Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Durable Goods: Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Parts and Supplies Inventories/Sales Ratio (R4231IM163SCEN), retrieved from FRED.