Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Durable Goods: Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Inventories/Sales Ratio
R4234IM163SCEN • Economic Data from Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)
Latest Value
1.15
Year-over-Year Change
-0.86%
Date Range
1/1/1992 - 6/1/2025
Summary
This economic trend measures the inventory-to-sales ratio for durable goods held by merchant wholesalers. It provides insight into supply chain dynamics and business inventory management.
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: Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Inventories/Sales Ratio tracks the ratio of inventories to sales for a key wholesale industry segment. It is used to assess inventory levels, supply chain efficiency, and business confidence.
Methodology
The data is collected through monthly surveys of merchant wholesale establishments by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Historical Context
This ratio is closely monitored by economists, policymakers, and industry analysts to gauge economic conditions and inventory management practices.
Key Facts
- The ratio reached a high of 1.53 in June 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The long-term average ratio is around 1.20 to 1.30.
- Decreasing ratios can signal rising demand or tighter inventory management.
FAQs
Q: What does this economic trend measure?
A: This trend measures the ratio of inventories to sales for durable goods held by merchant wholesalers, excluding manufacturers' sales branches and offices.
Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?
A: The inventory-to-sales ratio provides insight into supply chain dynamics, business confidence, and inventory management practices, which are closely monitored by economists, policymakers, and industry analysts.
Q: How is this data collected or calculated?
A: The data is collected through monthly surveys of merchant wholesale establishments by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?
A: This ratio is used by economists and policymakers to assess economic conditions, supply chain efficiency, and inventory management practices, which can inform policy decisions.
Q: Are there update delays or limitations?
A: The data is released monthly with a typical 1-2 month lag, and may be subject to revisions by the Census Bureau.
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Citation
U.S. Federal Reserve, Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Durable Goods: Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Inventories/Sales Ratio (R4234IM163SCEN), retrieved from FRED.