Wholesale trade in September was $430.5 billion, up 0.6 percent from the revised August level and up 3.9 percent from September 2012, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The August estimate was revised downward $600 million or 0.1 percent.
September sales of durable goods were up 2.1 percent from last month and up 6.9 percent from a year ago. Sales of motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and supplies were up 8.5 percent from last month, and sales of electrical and electronic goods were up 3.8 percent.
Sales of nondurable goods were down 0.7 percent from August, but were up 1.4 percent from last September. Sales of petroleum and petroleum products were down 2.8 percent from last month and sales of drugs and druggists' sundries were down 1.8 percent.
Total inventories of merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers’ sales branches and offices, were $506.3 billion at the end of September, up 0.4 percent from the revised August level and up 2.2 percent from September 2012. The August preliminary estimate was revised upward $1.3 billion or 0.3 percent.
September inventories of durable goods were up 0.3 percent from last month and were up 5 percent from a year ago. Inventories of computer and computer peripheral equipment and software were up 5.6 percent from last month, while inventories of motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and supplies were down 3 percent.
Inventories of nondurable goods were up 0.5 percent from August but down 2.1 percent from last September. Inventories of beer, wine and distilled alcoholic beverages were up 2.1 percent from last month.
The September inventories/sales ratio for merchant wholesalers was 1.18. The September 2012 ratio was 1.2.
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