Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Nondurable Goods: Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Inventories/Sales Ratio
R4242IM163SCEN • Economic Data from Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)
Latest Value
0.96
Year-over-Year Change
-4.95%
Date Range
1/1/1992 - 6/1/2025
Summary
The Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Nondurable Goods: Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Inventories/Sales Ratio tracks the inventory-to-sales ratio for the wholesale drug and sundries industry, providing insights into supply chain dynamics and demand.
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 indicator measures the ratio of inventories to sales for merchant wholesalers of non-durable drugs and druggists' sundries. It offers insights into inventory management, supply chain efficiency, and anticipation of consumer demand within this important economic sector.
Methodology
The data is collected through surveys of merchant wholesalers and calculated as the ratio of end-of-month inventories to monthly sales.
Historical Context
Analysts and policymakers monitor this ratio to assess the health of the pharmaceutical supply chain and anticipate changes in consumer spending.
Key Facts
- The ratio has ranged from 1.30 to 1.55 over the past decade.
- Drugs and druggists' sundries account for over 20% of total merchant wholesale sales.
- Inventory management is critical in this industry due to the perishable nature of many pharmaceutical products.
FAQs
Q: What does this economic trend measure?
A: This indicator tracks the ratio of inventories to sales for merchant wholesalers of non-durable drugs and druggists' sundries products.
Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?
A: This ratio provides insights into inventory management, supply chain efficiency, and anticipation of consumer demand within the pharmaceutical wholesale industry.
Q: How is this data collected or calculated?
A: The data is collected through surveys of merchant wholesalers and calculated as the ratio of end-of-month inventories to monthly sales.
Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?
A: Analysts and policymakers monitor this ratio to assess the health of the pharmaceutical supply chain and anticipate changes in consumer spending.
Q: Are there update delays or limitations?
A: The data is published monthly with a typical 6-week lag between the reference period and release.
Related Trends
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Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Durable Goods: Miscellaneous Durable Goods Inventories/Sales Ratio
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Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Durable Goods: Hardware, and Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies Inventories/Sales Ratio
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Total Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices Inventories/Sales Ratio
R42IRSM163SCEN
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Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Durable Goods: Household Appliances and Electrical and Electronic Goods Inventories
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Citation
U.S. Federal Reserve, Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Nondurable Goods: Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Inventories/Sales Ratio (R4242IM163SCEN), retrieved from FRED.