Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Nondurable Goods: Chemicals and Allied Products Inventories/Sales Ratio
R4246IM163SCEN • Economic Data from Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)
Latest Value
1.12
Year-over-Year Change
-2.61%
Date Range
1/1/1992 - 6/1/2025
Summary
The Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Nondurable Goods: Chemicals and Allied Products Inventories/Sales Ratio measures the inventory-to-sales relationship for the wholesale chemicals industry, providing insights into supply chain dynamics and economic conditions.
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 economic indicator tracks the ratio of inventories to sales for wholesale merchants of nondurable chemical products, excluding direct sales branches of manufacturers. It serves as a barometer of supply and demand, inventory management, and broader economic trends in the chemicals industry.
Methodology
The data is collected through monthly surveys of merchant wholesalers and calculated as the ratio of inventories to sales.
Historical Context
Economists and policymakers monitor this ratio to assess the health of the chemicals sector and broader economic conditions.
Key Facts
- The ratio ranges from 0 to 1, with higher values indicating larger inventories relative to sales.
- Chemicals and allied products account for a significant portion of nondurable wholesale trade.
- The trend provides insights into production, distribution, and economic conditions in the chemicals industry.
FAQs
Q: What does this economic trend measure?
A: The Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Nondurable Goods: Chemicals and Allied Products Inventories/Sales Ratio measures the relationship between inventories and sales for wholesale merchants of chemical products.
Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?
A: This ratio is an important indicator of supply chain dynamics, inventory management, and broader economic conditions in the chemicals industry, which is a key sector of the economy.
Q: How is this data collected or calculated?
A: The data is collected through monthly 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 the health of the chemicals sector and broader economic conditions, which can inform policy decisions.
Q: Are there update delays or limitations?
A: The data is published monthly with a typical lag of around two months from the reference period.
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Citation
U.S. Federal Reserve, Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Nondurable Goods: Chemicals and Allied Products Inventories/Sales Ratio (R4246IM163SCEN), retrieved from FRED.