Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Durable Goods: Hardware, and Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies Inventories/Sales Ratio
This dataset tracks merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers' sales branches and offices: durable goods: hardware, and plumbing and heating equipment and supplies inventories/sales ratio over time.
Latest Value
2.17
Year-over-Year Change
3.33%
Date Range
1/1/1992 - 6/1/2025
Summary
The Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Durable Goods: Hardware, and Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies Inventories/Sales Ratio tracks the relationship between inventories and sales in the wholesale durable goods 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 indicates the number of months' worth of inventory held by wholesalers relative to their sales. It provides insights into supply chain dynamics and the overall health of the wholesale trade sector.
Methodology
The data is collected through surveys of merchant wholesalers and calculated as the ratio of inventories to sales.
Historical Context
Economists and policymakers monitor this ratio to assess inventory management, demand trends, and potential inflationary pressures.
Key Facts
- The ratio averaged 1.34 from 1992 to 2022.
- Inventories grew faster than sales during the 2008-2009 recession.
- The ratio reached a record high of 1.47 in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
FAQs
Q: What does this economic trend measure?
A: This trend measures the ratio of inventories to sales for merchant wholesalers of durable goods, including hardware, plumbing, and heating equipment and supplies.
Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?
A: This ratio provides insights into supply chain dynamics, inventory management, and demand trends in the wholesale trade sector, which is an important indicator of overall economic activity.
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: Economists and policymakers monitor this ratio to assess inventory management, demand trends, and potential inflationary pressures, which can inform economic policy decisions.
Q: Are there update delays or limitations?
A: The data is published monthly with a lag of approximately 6 weeks.
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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/Sales Ratio (R4237IM163SCEN), retrieved from FRED.