Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Durable Goods: Household Appliances and Electrical and Electronic Goods Inventories/Sales Ratio
R4236IM163SCEN • Economic Data from Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)
Latest Value
0.98
Year-over-Year Change
-12.50%
Date Range
1/1/1992 - 6/1/2025
Summary
The Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Durable Goods: Household Appliances and Electrical and Electronic Goods Inventories/Sales Ratio measures the relationship between inventories and sales for this wholesale sector.
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 provides insight into the supply and demand dynamics of household appliances, electronics, and related durable goods as they move through the wholesale distribution channel. Economists and policymakers monitor this data to assess inventory health and gauge consumer demand.
Methodology
The data is collected through surveys of merchant wholesalers and calculated as the ratio of inventories to sales.
Historical Context
This ratio is a key economic indicator used to inform production, inventory, and monetary policy decisions.
Key Facts
- The ratio averaged 1.31 from 1992 to 2022.
- Durable goods inventories/sales peaked at 1.46 in June 2009.
- The ratio fell to a low of 1.15 in November 2021.
FAQs
Q: What does this economic trend measure?
A: This indicator measures the ratio of inventories to sales for merchant wholesalers of household appliances, electronics, and other durable goods.
Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?
A: This ratio provides insight into inventory management and consumer demand for durable household goods, which is useful for economic forecasting and policy decisions.
Q: How is this data collected or calculated?
A: The data is collected through surveys of merchant wholesalers and calculated as the ratio of inventories to sales.
Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?
A: Policymakers and analysts monitor this ratio to assess production, inventory, and consumer demand trends, which can inform monetary, fiscal, and industry policies.
Q: Are there update delays or limitations?
A: The data is published monthly by the U.S. Federal Reserve with a typical 1-2 month lag.
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Citation
U.S. Federal Reserve, Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Durable Goods: Household Appliances and Electrical and Electronic Goods Inventories/Sales Ratio (R4236IM163SCEN), retrieved from FRED.