Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Nondurable Goods: Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods Inventories/Sales Ratio
R4249IM163SCEN • Economic Data from Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)
Latest Value
1.81
Year-over-Year Change
-1.63%
Date Range
1/1/1992 - 6/1/2025
Summary
The Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Nondurable Goods: Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods Inventories/Sales Ratio measures the inventory-to-sales ratio for miscellaneous nondurable goods sold by wholesale merchants. This metric provides insights into supply chain dynamics and 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
This ratio compares the level of inventories to the current sales volume for a specific category of nondurable wholesale goods. Economists and policymakers use it to gauge supply chain health, inventory efficiency, and demand patterns in the wholesale trade sector.
Methodology
The data is collected through monthly surveys of merchant wholesalers by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Historical Context
This ratio is monitored by analysts to understand the broader economic climate and potential future production and spending trends.
Key Facts
- The ratio has ranged from 1.10 to 1.55 over the past 10 years.
- Decreases in the ratio can signal rising demand or improved inventory efficiency.
- Increases may point to oversupply or slowing sales in the wholesale sector.
FAQs
Q: What does this economic trend measure?
A: This metric measures the ratio of inventories to sales for miscellaneous nondurable goods sold by wholesale merchants, excluding manufacturers' sales branches and offices.
Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?
A: The inventories-to-sales ratio provides insights into supply chain dynamics, inventory management, and demand patterns in the wholesale trade sector, which is important for understanding broader economic conditions.
Q: How is this data collected or calculated?
A: The data is collected through monthly surveys of merchant wholesalers conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?
A: Analysts and policymakers monitor this ratio to gauge supply chain health, inventory efficiency, and potential future production and spending trends in the economy.
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: Nondurable Goods: Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods Inventories/Sales Ratio (R4249IM163SCEN), retrieved from FRED.