Research Archives

MDM’s 2Q26 MarketPulse Report is Here, Showing Market-Specific Revenue Performance, Pricing & Expectations

MDM’s 2Q26 MarketPulse Report consists of the quarterly results, analysis and commentary from the latest Baird-MDM Industrial Distribution Survey — conducted early July — that explored revenue performance, pricing and business expectations for the current quarter and rest-of-year. It includes a wealth of market-specific data and commentary from survey respondents.

July 28, 2026

Research

NAW Research: Distributor-Supplier Relationships Hold Steady

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July 27, 2026

Economic Trends

Advance: U.S. Durable Goods Orders Edge Higher in June, Up 6.7% YTD

U.S. durable goods orders increased 0.3% in June, led by computers and electronic products, while orders excluding transportation rose 0.6%. Total orders were up 8.9% year over year and 6.7% through the first half of 2026.

July 27, 2026

Economic Trends

Ocean Container Rates Ease After Surge, Remain Highly Elevated on U.S. Import Routes

Drewry’s latest World Container Index showed a second consecutive weekly decline, but U.S.-bound shipping rates remain far above early-2026 levels amid tariff-driven frontloading, constrained capacity, elevated fuel costs and continued geopolitical uncertainty.

July 23, 2026

Market Analysis

Amazon Business Surpasses $60B in Annualized Gross Sales. Here’s What to Know

The B2B marketplace added $25 billion to its annual GMV since its previous update three years ago, while expanding its customer base and building out AI, procurement and delivery capabilities. Here's the key details, context and competitive analysis.

July 21, 2026

Strategy

The Top 5 Components of a Distributor Business Plan

If your company lacks a plan or yours is gathering dust, follow these guidelines.

July 20, 2026

Economic Trends

Now Available: NAW’s 3Q26 Forecast Report

This comprehensive NAW 3Q26 Forecast Report is a guide to the U.S. wholesale distribution economy, providing a historical, current and future snapshot of numerous key economic indicators in one convenient place along with our exclusive sector-specific forecasts for 19 different product categories.

July 17, 2026

Economic Trends

June U.S. Industrial Production Posts Another Slight Gain, Behind Expectations

Manufacturing output was flat month-over-month, while mining and utilities both had modest increases. Get all the key figures here.

July 17, 2026

Building Materials/Construction

June U.S. Housing Starts Rebound as Multifamily Activity Jumps

U.S. housing starts bounced back in June after a sharp May decline, driven by a jump in multifamily construction. Building permits declined both month-to-month and year-over-year, while completions increased.

July 17, 2026

Economic Trends

MDM Forecast: July Update

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July 15, 2026

Economic Trends

Wholesale Inflation Cools in June as Energy Drives Producer Price Decline

The latest Producer Price Index showed wholesale prices fell in June as energy costs retreated sharply, while underlying inflation remained more subdued, offering a calmer inflation picture after May's energy-driven surge.

July 15, 2026

Economic Trends

Energy Price Drop Pulls Consumer Inflation Lower in June

Consumer inflation eased considerably during June as gasoline prices reversed course, while core prices were unchanged month-over-month and posted their smallest annual increase since early 2021.

July 14, 2026

Market Analysis

Analysis: Fastenal’s Strong Sales & Margin Performance Continue Despite Pricing Moderation

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July 14, 2026

Economic Trends

U.S. Metalworking Machinery Orders Continued Slide in May, but Narrowed

Month-over-month orders declined for a second straight month, but to a much smaller degree than April, while year-over-year totals remain robust. Get the key figures and context here.

July 13, 2026

Strategy

QXO Details Go-Forward Playbook Centered on Scale, Transformation & Tech

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July 9, 2026

Economic Trends

U.S. Cutting Tool Shipment Value & Volume Dip Again in May

The number of units shipped decreased for a second straight month after rising in March and February.

July 9, 2026

Economic Trends

May U.S. Wholesale Sales Accelerate, Far Outpacing Inventories

Petroleum products continued to lift nondurable goods sales, while durables saw widespread acceleration as inventory-to-sales ratios continue to slide, indicating demand is outpacing stockpiles. Here, get a full breakdown of product vertical-specific figures for monthly and year-over-year sales and inventories from the latest government data.

July 8, 2026

Economic Trends

IMF Lowers 2026 Global Growth Outlook, Holds U.S. Forecast Steady

The IMF’s July World Economic Outlook update projects 3.0% global growth in 2026, down 0.1 percentage point from April, as war-driven energy pressure and stalled disinflation offset technology investment gains.

July 8, 2026

Top Distributor Sectors

MDM’s 2026 Top Distributors Lists are Live & Available to Download

Our highly anticipated annual feature is here for you to peruse via web listings and our downloadable report. Explore our 20 different lists to see distribution’s biggest movers and shakers.