Wholesale trade revenues in May were $424.6 billion, up 1.6 percent from the revised April level and up 4.1 percent from May 2012, according to The U.S. Census Bureau. The April preliminary estimate was revised upward $1.2 billion or 0.3 percent.
May sales of durable goods were up 0.3 percent from last month and were up 3.7 percent from a year ago. Sales of motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and supplies were up 3 percent from last month, while sales of metals and minerals, except petroleum were down 4.5 percent.
Sales of nondurable goods were up 2.8 percent April and were up 4.3 percent from last May. Sales of apparel, piece goods, and notions were up 5.3 percent from last month and sales of grocery and related products were up 3.8 percent.
Total inventories of merchant wholesalers were $500.9 billion at the end of May, down 0.5 percent from the revised April level, but up 3.3 percent from May 2012. The April preliminary estimate was revised downward $1.3 billion or 0.3 percent.
May inventories of durable goods were down 0.3 percent from last month, but were up 4.8 percent from a year ago. Inventories of metals and minerals, except petroleum were down 1.7 percent from last month. Inventories of nondurable goods were down 0.8 percent from April, but were up 1 percent from last May. Inventories of farm product raw materials were down 6 percent from last month.
The May inventories/sales ratio for merchant wholesalers was 1.18. The May 2012 ratio was 1.19.
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