U.S. Department of Commerce FIRST-CLASS MAIL

U.S. Census Bureau

Washington, DC 20233 CENSUS

Official Business
Penalty for Private Use, $300

POSTAGE & FEES PAID

PERMIT No. G-58

Table 3. Seasonal Adjustment Factors for Sales and Inventories of Merchant Wholesalers

sic Kind of Sales Inventories

code Business 1999 1998 1999 1998
Jun. | Mayr} Apr.r | Mar. Feb. | Mayr} Jun. | Mayr| Apr.r | Mar. Feb. | Mayr

U.S. Total' | 1.038 | 0.994 | 1.010 | 1.077 | 0.911 | 0.987 | 0.984 | 0.994 | 1.006 | 1.009 | 1.015 | 0.994

50 Durable 1.054 | 0.978 | 1.006 | 1.082 | 0.904 | 0.976 | 1.000 | 1.010 | 1.009 | 1.003 | 1.003 | 1.010
501 |Automotive 1,060 | 1.002 | 1.047 | 1.125 | 0.921 | 1.004 | 0.984 | 1.006 | 1.012 | 1.016 | 1.042 | 1.007
502 |Furniture 1.014 | 0.969 | 1.013 | 1.048 | 0.892 | 0.966 | 1.016 | 1.001 | 0.974 | 0.982 | 0.976 | 1.001
503 |Lumber 1,119 | 1.021 | 1.020 | 1.018 | 0.842 | 1.027 | 1.031 | 1.030 | 1.030 | 1.023 | 0.999 | 1.029
504 |Prof. equip. 1.056 | 0.940 | 0.975 | 1.090 | 0.907 | 0.936 | 0.988 | 0.998 | 1,010 | 1.002 | 0.991 | 0.997
505 |Metals 1,053 | 0.984 | 1.029 | 1.104 | 0.947 | 0.986 | 1.001 | 1.006 | 1.005 | 1.012 | 1.005 | 1.005
506 Electrical 1.029 | 0.954 | 0.965 | 1.071 | 0.909 | 0.953 | 1.018 | 1.009 | 0.996 | 0.985 | 0.996 1.008
507 |Hardware 1.113 | 0,981 | 0,991 | 0.989 | 0.867 | 0.990 | 1.010 | 1.024 | 1.021 | 1.011 | 1.002 | 1.024
508 |Machinery 1,049 | 1.020 | 1.059 | 1.113 | 0.920 | 1.005 | 1.004 | 1.019 | 1.020 | 1.008 | 0.997 | 1.018
509 |Other Durable | 0.993 | 0.953 | 0.962 | 1.052 | 0.893 | 0.946 | 0.993 | 0.993 | 0.983 0.969 | 0.984 | 0.994
51 Nondurable | 1.019 | 1.009 | 1.017 | 1.068 | 0.922 | 0.999 | 0.956 | 0.965 | 1.009 1.018 | 1.034 | 0.965
511 |Paper 1,001 | 0.930 | 0.996 | 1.066 | 0.946 | 0.939 | 0.977 | 0.983 | 1.008 | 1.005 | 0.997 | 0.983
512 |Drugs 0.992 | 0.950 | 1.012 | 1.071 | 0.931 | 0.946 | 0.967 | 0.956 | 1.006 | 1.009 | 1.016 | 0.955
513 |Apparel 0.995 | 0.831 | 0.965 | 1.130 | 1.034 | 0.828 | 1.021 | 0.973 | 0.963 | 0.961 | 1.008 | 0.972
514 |Groceries 1.026 | 1.031 | 0.985 | 1.054 | 0.910 | 1.016 | 0.990 | 0.995 | 0.990 | 0.985 | 0.980 | 0.993
515 |Farm-products | 0.936 | 0.968 | 0.948 | 1.067 | 0.955 | 0.956 | 0.778 0.836 | 0.993 | 1.094 | 1.201 | 0.838
516 |Chemicals 1.078 | 1.030 | 1.021 | 1.063 | 0.934 | 1.025 | 1.003 | 1.012 | 1.002 | 1.005 | 1.007 | 1.012
517 |Petroleum 0.984 | 0.994 | 1.030 | 1.032 | 0.938 | 1.005 | 0.952 | 0.999 | 0.991 | 0.970 | 0.984 1.000
518 |Alcohol 1.107 | 1.026 | 0.999 | 1.010 | 0.811 | 1.029 | 1.012 | 0.965 | 0.993 | 1.001 | 0.956 | 0.967
519 JOther Nondur. | 1.086 | 1.178 | 1.159 | 1.086 | 0.889 | 1.145 | 0.958 0.995 | 1.058 | 1.077 }| 1.072 | 0.998

rt Revised

1 Adjusted sales and inventories data shown in Table 1 are obtained by dividing the unadjusted data by the
adjustment factors shown above for the corresponding group. Adjusted data for the totals are obtained by adding
the durable and nondurable goods. Seasonal factors shown for the totals will provide an approximation of the
adjusted estimates, but may show small differences from the published data.

Note: The seasonal factors shown have been computed based on monthly estimates through the current month
preliminary estimates. :

U.S. Census Bureau


CURRENT BUSINESS REPORTS

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U.S. Department of Commerce
Economics and Statistics Administration
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

Monthly Wholesale Trade

Sales and Inventories

November 1999
BW/99-11
Issued January 2000

MONTHLY WHOLESALE TRADE: SALES AND INVENTORIES
NOVEMBER 1999

Important Notice: In an effort to reduce cost and provide timely data, information from this report will only be available through the Internet
beginning with the press release covering January 2000 data. Access to the data is free using the Internet site shown at the bottom of this
page. If you have any questions or want a printed copy of future releases, please contact Scott Scheleur at 301-457-2747.

Sales. November 1999 sales of merchant wholesalers, after
adjustment for seasonal variations and trading-day differences but
not for price changes, were $236.8 billion, up 1.6 percent
(+/- 0.7%) from the revised October level and were 11.6 percent
(+/- 1.2%) above the November 1998 level. The October
preliminary estimate was revised upward $0.2 billion or 0.1 percent.
November sales of durable goods increased 1.5 percent (+/-0.9%)
from last month and were up 11.7 percent (+/-1.3%) from a year
ago. Compared to last month, sales of electrical goods increased 4.4
percent and metals and minerals, except petroleum grew 3.8
percent. November sales of nondurable goods increased 1.7 percent
{+/- 0.9%) from October and were 11,6 percent (+/-1.6%) above
November 1998. Sales of apparel, piece goods, and notions were up
4.3 percent and drugs, drug proprietaries, and druggists’ sundries
increased 3.8 percent.

Inventories. Total inventories of merchant wholesalers, after
adjustment for seasonal variations but not for price changes,
were $302.9 billion at the end of November, up 1.1 percent

(+/- 0.5%) from the revised October level and were 6.1 percent
(+/- 1.4%} above November 1998. The October preliminary estimate
was revised upward $0.4 billion or 0.1 percent. End-of-month
inventories of durable goods increased 1.5 percent (+/-0.4%) from
last month and were 6.4 percent (+/-1.3%) above November 1998.
Compared to last month, inventories of electrical goods increased
2.6 percent, while furniture and home furnishings fell 3.1 percent.
Among nondurable goods, inventories of groceries and related
products increased 2.6 percent from October, while farm-product
raw materials declined 3.7 percent.

Inventories/Sales Ratio. The November inventories/sales ratio for
merchant wholesalers, based on seasonally adjusted data, was 1.28.
The November 1998 ratio was 1.35.

Data in this report are based on a sample and, therefore, are subject
to sampling and nonsampling variability. A discussion of the
reliability of the data and general survey methodology appears in
BW/98-A Current Business Reports.

Monthly Inventories/Sales Ratios of Merchant Wholesalers: 1990 to 1999
(Data adjusted for seasonal and trading-day differences, but not for price changes)

1.40

1.35 +

41.30 +

1.25 +

1.20

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Monthly Wholesale Trade for December is scheduled to be released February 9, 2000 at 10:00 a.m.

Address inquiries concerning this report to Service Sector Statistics Division, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233, or
call Scott Scheleur, 301-457-2747 or 301-457-2764. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing

Office, Washington, DC 20402.

This report is available on day of issue through the Department of Commerce’s online Economic Bulletin Board (202-482-1986).
The data are also available on the Internet - http://www.census.gov/svsd/www/mwts.html.


CURRENT BUSINESS REPORTS

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U.S. Department of Commerce
Economics and Statistics Administration
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

Monthly Wholesale Trade

Sales and Inventories

October 1999
BW/99-10
Issued December 1999

MONTHLY WHOLESALE TRADE: SALES AND INVENTORIES
OCTOBER 1999

Important Notice: In an effort to reduce cost and provide timely data, information from this report will only be available through the Internet
beginning with the press release covering January 2000 data. Access to the data is free using the Internet site shown at the bottom of this
page. If you have any questions or want a printed copy of future releases, please contact Scott Scheleur at 301-457-2779.

Sales. October 1999 sales of merchant wholesalers, after adjustment
for seasonal variations and trading-day differences but not for price
changes, were $232.8 billion, up 0.7 percent (+/- 0.6%) from the
revised September level and were 10.1 percent (+/- 1.2%) above
the October 1998 level. The September preliminary estimate was
revised upward $0.2 billion or 0.1 percent. Among durable goods,
sales of motor vehicles and automotive equipment increased 3.1
percent from last month and metals and minerals, except petroleum
grew 2.9 percent. October sales of nondurable goods increased 1.0
percent (+/-0.7%) from September and were up 10.2 percent (+/-
1.5%) from last year.

Inventories. Total inventories of merchant wholesalers, after
adjustment for seasonal variations but not for price changes, were
$299.4 billion at the end of October, up 0.3 percent (+/- 0.2%)
from the revised September level and were 5.4 percent (+/- 1.0%)
above October 1998. The September preliminary estimate was
revised upward $0.7 billion or 0.2 percent. End-of-month inventories
of durable goods increased 0.6 percent {+/-0.3%) from last month
and were 4.7 percent (+/-1.1%) above October 1998. Compared

to last month, inventories of furniture and home furnishings
increased 3.9 percent, while machinery, equipment and supplies fell
1.1 percent.  End-of-month inventories of nondurable goods
decreased 0.3 percent (+/-0.7%) from September but were up 6.6
percent (+/-2.0%) from last year. Compared to last month,
inventories of drugs, drug proprietaries and druggists’ sundries
increased 2.8 percent, while farm-product raw materials declined 9.3
percent.

Inventories/Sales Ratio. The October inventories/sales ratio for
merchant wholesalers, based on seasonally adjusted data, was 1.29.
The October 1998 ratio was 1.34,

The scheduled release dates for 2000 are as follows: January 11,
February 9, March 9, April 6, May 9, June 6, July 11, August 9,
September 7, October 11, November 8, and December 11.

Data in this report are based on a sample and, therefore, are subject
to sampling and nonsampling variability. A discussion of the
reliability of the data and general survey methodology appears in
BW/98-A Current Business Reports.

Monthly Inventories/Sales Ratios of Merchant Wholesalers: 1990 to 1999
(Data adjusted for seasonal and trading-day differences, but not for price changes)

1.40

1.30 F

1.25 +

1.20

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Monthly Wholesale Trade for November is scheduled to be released January 11, 2000 at 10:00 a.m.

Address inquiries concerning this report to Service Sector Statistics Division, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233, or
call Scott Scheleur, 301-457-2779 or 301-457-2764. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing

Office, Washington, DC 20402.

This report is available on day of issue through the Department of Commerce’s online Economic Bulletin Board (202-482-1986).
The data are also available on the Internet - http://www.census.gov/svsd/www/mwts.html.


Table 1. Estimated Monthly Sales, Inventories, and Inventories/Sales Ratios of Merchant Wholesalers: 1999 and 1998

{in millions of dollars)

Sales Inventories Inventories/Sales
Monthly Percent change Monthly Percent change Ratios

sict Kind of Dec. | Nov. | Dec. | Dec./| Nov./|Dec. 99] Dec. | Nov. | Dec. | Dec./| Nov./|Dec, 99] Dec. | Nov. | Dec.
code| Business | 1999 | 1999 | 1998 | Nov. | Oct. |Dec. 98} 1999 | 1999 | 1998 | Nov. | Oct. |Dec. 98] 1999] 1999 | 1998
(p) (r) {r) (p) (r) (r) {p) |) fr)
U.S. Total | 240,142] 237,464] 215,061] 1.1] 1.9] 11.7] 305,005] 303,649) 286,705] 0.4) 1.3] 6.4) 1.27] 1.28) 1.33
5O | Durable 128,462| 126,486] 114,332] 1.6] 1.9] 12.4] 199,119| 198,354] 187,574] 0.4; 1.6] 6.2| 1.55] 1.57] 1.64
501 | Automotive 19,897] 19,743| 17,567} 0.8 -1.1] 13.3] 29,716] 29,430] 26,840] 1.0] 25] 10.7 1.49) 1.49] 1.53
502 |Furniture 4,202] 4,170 3,898] 0.8} -1.2| 7.8] 6,365 6,215] 5,975] 24] -28) 6.5] 1.51) 1.49] 1.63
503 |Lumber 9,050] 8,987] 8,018} 0.7| 29) 12.9) 9,135] 9,032] 8,108} 1.1) -1.3) 12.7] 1.01) 1.01} 1.01
504 |Prof. equip. 23,788| 23,512| 21,609] 1.2} 1.4] 10.1] 26,640] 26,547] 25,899) 0.4) 1.6] 29] 1.12 1.13) 1.20
505 |Metals 8,272| 8,096] 7,657] 2.21 4.0) 8.0] 13,158] 13,107] 13,684] 0.4) 1.6] -3.8| 1.59] 1.62) 1.79
506 |Electrical 21,717) 21,184) 17,784) 2.5| 4.9| 22.1) 30,352) 29,678] 26,382} 2.3) 26] 15.0] 1.40] 1.40) 1.48
507 |Hardware 6,739] 6,714] 6590! 0.4 1.6) 2.3] 13,321] 13,349] 13,378] 0.2] 1.2] -0.4| 1.98] 1.99) 2.03
508 | Machinery 20,904} 20,580} 20,090] 1.6] 0.5] 4.1] 51,144] 51,699] 49,964) -1.1] 0.5] 24] 2.45] 251) 2.49
509 |Other Durable | 13,893} 13,500] 11,119] 2.9} 4.4! 24.9} 19,288] 19,297} 17,344] 0.0| 4.7] 11.2 1.39] 1.43] 1.56
51 | Nondurable | 111,680] 110,978] 100,729] 0.6) 1.8} 10.9] 105,886] 105,295} 99,131] 0.6/ 0.7| 6.8) 0.95} 0.95) 0.98
511 |Paper 2,567] 8,645) 7,894] -0.9] 1.5] 8.5] 9,981] 10,127} 9,494) -1.4] 1.6] 5.11 1.17| | 1.17] 1.20
512 |Drugs 13,349] 12,913] 11,250] 3.4] 18.7] 18,179} 18,017] 15,116 0.9] -0.1) 20.3] 1.36] 1.40] 1.34
513 | Apparel 8,207} 8,193] 7,061] 0.2| 16.2) 11,339] 11,304] 12,608} 0.3] -0.3/ -10.1] 1.38] 1.38] 1.79
514 |Groceries 31,707] 31,615] 29,267] 0.3) 8.3] 19,374] 19,210] 16,973] 0.9] 27) 14.1] 061) 061) O58
515 |Farm-products| 7,792] 8,297} 9,009) -6.1 13.6] 10,908] 11,002} 10,877] -0.9] -4.0] 0.3} 1.40] 1.33) 1.21
516 |Chemicals 4,612} 4,498} 4,467] 2.5] 3.2) 4,779) 4,675| 4,921) 2.2] -0.6) -2.9] 1.04) 1.04) 1.10
517 |Petroleum 13,489) 13,078] 9,544) 3.1 41.3] 3,874] 3,992/ 39341 -3.0| 1.4] -1.5] 0.29] 0.31} 0.41
518 | Alcohol 5,747] 5,813] 5,324) -1.1 7.9] 6,368] 6,295} 5,885} 1.2] -0.5[ 8.2) 1.11] 1.08) 1.11
519 |Other Nondur. | 18,210} 17,926] 16,913] 1.6] 7.7) 21,084} 20,673] 19,323} 20) 3.1 9.1] 1.16) 1,15} 1.14

Not_Adiusted Sales to date
1999 | 1998
U.S. Total | 243,246) 236,771] 219,176) 2.8] -0.4) 11.0] 306,258] 306,192) 287,997] 0.0] 1.3} —6.3) 2,721,795] 2,535,008
50 | Durable 129,017} 125,624] 115,336] 2.7) -2.0| 11.9] 196,027| 196,466] 184,769] -0.2| 6.1] 1,458,606] 1,359,989
501 |Automotive 20,076| 19,585] 18,006] 25] -2.5] 11.5] 28,884] 29,489] 26,062] -2.1 10.8| 227,716} 202,924
502 |Furniture 4,244] 4,429] 3,956] -4,2] -0.71 7.3] 6,250] 6,153] 5,861] 1.6 6.6} 49,468] 47,836
503 |Lumber 8,000, 8,744) 7,112) -8.5] -4.8] 12.5] 8,715| 8,707] 7,759] 0.1 12.3] 103,645] 91,626
504 |Prof. equip. 25,953| 22,548] 23,959 15.1] -3.8| 11.1] 26,427) 26,839| 25,744) -1.5 2.7| 271,949| 255,865
505 |Metals 7,834) 7,845] 7,297) -O.1] -1.1 7.4| 13,342] 12,845] 13,876] 3.9) -3.8] 93,204) 96,161
506 |Electrical 21,456] 21,248} 17,606] 1.0] -1.5] 21.9] 29,684] 29,233] 25,802) 1.5] 15.0] 235,024} 211,844
507 |Hardware 6,267| 6,748] 6,162} -7.1] -36] 1.7| 13,081] 13,095] 13,137] -0.1 -0.4] 81,166] 77,421
508 |Machinery 21,113] 20,045] 20,452] 5.3} -1.01 3.2] 50,684 60,924] 49,514 | -0.5] 2.4) 244,714) 241,392
509 |Other Durable | 14,074] 14,432] 11,386] -2.5] 1.1] 23.6) 18,960] 19,181] 17,014] -1.2] 11.4) 151,720] 134,920
51 | Nondurable | 114,329] 111,147] 103,840) 29] 1.5] 10.1] 110,231] 109,726] 103,228] 0.5 6.8| 1,263,189] 1,175,019
511 |Paper 8,618] 3,541] 7,981] 0.9} -2.31 8.0] 10,201] 10,390] 9,712) -1.8| 8.0] 98,723 90,366
512 |Drugs 14,137] 13,016] 12,037] 8.6] 6.0] 17.4] 18,452| 17,999] 15,343] 2.5 20.3) 146,214] 124,355
513 | Apparel 6,574] 7,734] 5,811] -15.0] -8.8) 13.1] 11,520] 11,033} 12,797] 4.4] -10.0] 92,450] 85,615
514 |Groceries 32,341] 31,805| 30,116] 1.7} 1.9] 7.4] 19,413] 19,959) 17,024] -2.7 14.0| 363,252} 346,586
515 |Farm-products| 8,976] 9,293] 10,531] -3.4/ 3.3] -14.8] 13,668) 14,060 13,607] -2.8| 0.4] 100,282) 108,128
516 |Chemicals 4,354] 4,386] 4,244) -0.7/ -1.4) 2.6] 4,832} 4,675] 4,970] 3.4] -2,.8} 62,907] 54,828
517 |Petroleum 14,433] 13,431] 10,031} 7.6| 1.3) 43.9] 3,932) 4,128] 4,001] -4.7 145,120] 120,548
518 | Alcohol 6,759] 6,162) 6,277] 9.7} 5.7) 7.7| 5,948] 6,685] 5,485] -11.0| 2.4] 67,051] 61,838
519 |Other Nondur. | 18,137} 16,779] 16,812} 8.1] 3.3] 7.9] 22,265] 20,797] 20,289] 7.1 9.7] 197,190] 182,755

p Preliminary estimate. +r Revised.

1 For a full description of the SIC codes shown above, see the "1987 Standard Industrial Classification Manual” or the Current Business Reports
“Annual Benchmark Report for Wholesale Trade" publication.

2 Data adjusted for seasonal variations and, in the case of sales, also for trading-day differences. See Table 3 for seasonal adjustment factors used.

U.S. Census Bureau, the Official Statistics February 9, 2000


Table 1. Estimated Monthly Sales, Inventories, and Inventories/Sales Ratios of Merchant Wholesalers: 1999 and 1998

Un millions of dollars]

Sales Inventories Inventories/Sales
Monthly Percent change Monthly Percent change ratios

sic* Kind of Apr. | Mar. | Apr. | Apr./ | Mar./|Apr. 99] Apr. | Mar. | Apr. | Apr./ | Mar./|Apr. 99) Apr. | Mar. | Apr.
code | business 1999 | 1999 | 1998 | Mar. | Feb. |Apr. 98} 1999 | 1999 | 1998 | Mar. | Feb. |Apr. 98] 1999 | 1999 | 1998
(p) {r) (r) (p) {r) {r) (p) | tr) | tn

Adjusted”

U.S. Total |221,865|221,796|213,268] 0.0} 1.5} 4.01 288,961] 288,432)276,068/ 0.2} 0.2) 4.7) 1.30) 1.30) 1.29
50 | Durable 118,164| 118,178] 113,883} 0.0] 0.8] 3.8] 188,275] 188,877] 182,308} -0.3/ 0.1 3.3) 1.59] 1.60} 1.60
501 |Automotive 20,832] 20,192) 18,787| 3.2] -4.2} 10.9] 29,845] 29,792] 28,987] 0.2] 2.0] 3.0] 1.43] 1.48] 1.54
502 |Furniture 3,449} 3,468] 3,425] -0.6) -0.2/ 0.7] 5,554) 5,614) 5,555) -1.1) -0.7| 0.0] 1.61) 1.62] 1.62
503 |Lumber 8,413| 8,357] 7,494! 0.7| 2.7| 12.3] 7,904] 7,786) 7,844) 1.5} 2.4] 0.8] 0.94) 0.93] 1.05
504 |Prof. equip. 21,877) 22,217] 21,502] -2.9| 4.0 0.3] 23,597] 24,265] 27,094] -2.8| -2.6| -12.9] 1.09] 1.09) 1.26
505 |Metals 8,478| 8,324] 8,784] 1.9] -2.2| -3.5} 13,968] 13,766] 14,108} -3.9]  -1.0| 1.65] 1.65] 1.61
506 |Electrical 18,454] 18,270] 17,195] 1.0] 1.6] 7.3] 27,292| 27,682| 26,536] -1.4) -1.1] 2.8] 1.48] 1.52) 1.54
507 |Hardware 7,072| 7,151) 6,597| -1.1]  2.6| 7.2] 13,471] 13,545] 13,260) -0.5} 0.3] 1.7 1.90] 1.89] 2.01
508 |Machinery 18,496] 18,635] 18,689] -0.7) 2.9] -1.0| 49,436) 48,944] 43,048] 1.0) 1.2} 14.8] 2.67) 2.63) 2.30
509 |Other Durable | 11,393] 11,564] 11,410] -1.5] -0.7)  -0.1] 17,208] 17,483] 15,886] -1.6 8.3] 1.51] 1.61] 1.39
51 | Nondurable |103,701] 103,618] 99,385, 0.1] 2.5]  4.3|100,686] 99,555] 93,760| 1.1 7.4| 0.97] 0.96} 0.94
511 |Paper 7,934] 7,796] 7,461) 1.8 -2.6] 6.3| 9,487] 9,291] 9,135) 2.1 3.9{ 1.20) 1.19] 1.22
512 |Drugs 12,792] 12,487| 10,661{ 2.4] 1.8] 20.0 17,130] 16,273] 14,650] 5.3 16.9) 1.34] 1.30] 1.37
513 |Apparel 7,186 7,842} 6,939] -8.4| 12.7) 3.6) 11,478] 11,743] 12,101] | -2.3] 6.1] 1.60] 1.50] 1.74
514 |Groceries 29,470} 29,210] 28,356| 0.9] 1.7| 3.9] 17,142} 16,814] 16,299] 2.0 5.2] 0.58] 0.58] 0.57
515 |Farm-products| 8,018] 8,485] 8,924] -5.5] | -0.5) -10.2| 12,833] 12,261) 9,903} 2.2] 26.6) 1.56) 1.45] 1.11
516 |Chemicals 4,268} 4,390] 4,558] -2.8) 4.0] -6.4| 5,064) 5,078] 4,977]  -0.3| 1.7} 1.19} 1.16] 1.09
517 |Petroleum 13,577| 12,633] 12,2141 7.5] 11.9) 11.2) 4,197] 4,213) 4,563) -0.4 -8.0] 0.31] 0.33) 0.37
518 {Alcohol 6,134) 5,063] 4,772) 1.4) -0.8) 7.6| 6,924) 6,905] 5,167) 0.3] 14.7) 1.18[ 1.17] 1,08
519 |Other Nondur. | 15,322] 15,712| 15,600] -2.5] -2.0|  -1.1] 17,731] 17,977] 16,965] | -1.4 4.5|_ 1.16] 1.14] 1.09

Not Adjusted Sales to date
1999 1998
U.S. Total | 224,970] 238,077] 216,001] | -5.5] 19.2] 4.2| 291,146] 290,708] 278,205} 0.2| -0.3| 4.7) 858,102) 828,990
50 | Durable 119,157] 127,809] 114,331] -6.8| 20.3] 4.2) 189,987) 189,230] 183,970] 0.4) 0.1] 3.3) 454,228] 437,525
501 |Automotive 21,811] 22,716] 19,614 11.2] 30,263] 30,269] 29,422] 0.0] -0.6| 2.9} 81,009] 73,201
602 [Furniture 3,490| 3,634) 3,436 1.6] 5,404) 5,513] 5,405] -2.0] -0.1 0.0) 13,164) 13,184
503 |Lumber 8,606] 8,507) 7,644] 12.6] 8,157] 7,965) 8,087] 2.4] 4.9] 0.9] 30,458] 27,489
504 |Prof. equip. 21,124] 24,217] 20,964] 0.8| 23,833) 24,214] 27,338) -2.0] -1.5| -12.8) 83,772] 82,069
505 |Metals 8,732] 9,190] 9,100} -4.0| 14,080] 13,931] 14,235] 1.1] -3.2)  -1.1] 34,123] 35,809
506 |Electrical 17,845] 19,567] 16,576) 7.7| 27,237] 27,267} 26,483] -0.1] -2.2) 2.8} 69,230] 65,237
507 |Hardware 6,994] 7,072) 6,452| 8.4{ 13,740] 13,694] 13,602; 0.3] 1.2] 1.8) 26,139] 24,592
508 |Machinery 19,606] 20,741] 19,661 -0.3| 60,375] 49,336] 43,866] 2.1] 2.3 14.8] 73,195] 73,668
509 |Other Durable | 10,949] 12,168] 10,885) 0.6] 16,898] 16,941] 15,632] -0.3| 0.8] 8.1] 43,138] 42,276
51 | Nondurable | 105,813} 110,268) 101,670) 4.1] 101,159] 101,478] 94,235] -0.3|  -1.0 7.3) 403,874] 391,465
511 |Paper 7,910) 8,311] 7,401 6.9] 9,582| 9,337] 9,245] 2.6]. 0.9] 3.6] 31,669) 29,458
512 |Drugs 12,958] 13,374] 10,768 20.3| 17,216] 16,419] 14,723] 4.9] 1.3] 16.9] 49,697) 43,053
513 {Apparel 6,978] 8,861] 6,759 5. 3.21 11,030] 11,285] 11,629} -2.3| -8.0] -5.2| . 29,434] 28,967
514 |Groceries 29,116] 30,787) 28,356) -5.4) 17.8] 2.7] 16,971] 16,562] 16,136] 2.5 2.4) 5.2] 112,746] 109,158
515 |Farm-products| 7,641) 9,054] 8,540] -15.6] 11.2] -10.5| 12,596] 13,413] 9,953] -6.1| -5.8) 26.6| 33,369] 37,763
516 |Chemicals 4,345] 4,667 4,686) 9) 18.4) -7.3] 5,054) 6,103) 4,972) -1.0) -2.1 1.6] 17,138) 18,411
517 |Petroleum 13,916] 13,037] 12,348] 6.7] 23.1] 12.7) 4,151] 4,087| 4,622] 1.6) -0.5} -8.2| 49,086] 47,936
518 |Alcohol 5,129] 5,114) 4,786] 0.3] 23.5] 7.2] 5,906] 5,911] 5,157] -O.1] 6.8] 14.5] 18,152) 16,741
519 |Other Nondur. | 17,820] 17,063} 18,026} 4.4) 19.7| -1.1] 18,653] 19,361] 17,898} -3.7] -0.8) 4.2] 62,583] 59,978

p Preliminary estimate.

r Revised.

1 For a full description of the SIC Codes shown above see the "1987 Standard Industrial Classification Manual" or the Current Business Reports
“Annual Benchmark Report for Wholesale Trade” publication.

2 Data adjusted for seasonal variations and, in the case of sales, also for trading-day differences. See Table 3 for seasonal adjustment factors used.

U.S. Census Bureau, the Official StatisticsTM

June 6, 1999


U.S. Department of Commerce FIRST-CLASS MAIL

U.S. Census Bureau

Washington, DC 20233 CENSUS

Official Business
Penalty for Private Use, $300

POSTAGE & FEES PAID

PERMIT No. G-58

Table 3. Seasonal Adjustment Factors for Sales and Inventories of Merchant Wholesalers

sic Kind of Sales Inventories

code Business 1999 1998 1999 1998
Jul. Jun.r | Mayr} Apr. Mar. | Jun jf Jul. Jun.r | Mayr] Apr. Mar. | Jun.r

U.S. Total’ | 0.989 | 1.042 [0.991 | 1.010 | 1.077 | 1.045 | 0.993 | 0.986 | 0.994 | 1.006 | 1.009 | 0.985

50 Durable 0.994 | 1.057 | 0.976 | 1.007 | 1.082 | 1.060 | 1.011 | 1.002 | 1.009 | 1.009 | 1.003 | 1.002
501 {Automotive 1.003 | 1.066 | 1.002 | 1.046 | 1.120 | 1.064 | 0.993 | 0.989 | 1.006 | 1.015 | 1.017 | 0.989
502 |Furniture 0.968 | 1.014 | 0.969 | 1.016 | 1.048 | 1.032 | 1.022 | 1.019 | 0.996 | 0.974 | 0.984 | 1.018
503 |Lumber 1,067 | 1.125 | 1.018 | 1.019 | 1.017 | 1.113 | 1.017 | 1.034 | 1.028 | 1.028 | 1.021 | 1.032
504 |Prof. equip. 0.980 | 1.063 | 0.935 | 0.976 | 1.102 | 1.064 | 1.011 | 0.995 | 0.996 | 1.007 | 0.999 | 0.994
505 |Metals 0.964 | 1.056 | 0.984 | 1.031 | 1.108 | 1.051 | 1.011 | 1.003 | 1.004 | 1.005 | 1.011 | 1.003
506 Electrical 0.996 | 1.035 | 0.950 | 0.967 | 1.071 | 1.033 | 1.027 | 1.021 | 1.006 | 0.996 | 0.985 | 1.021
507 |Hardware 1,069 | 1.105 | 0.985 | 0.991 | 0.986 | 1.110 | 1.001 | 1.015 | 1.024 | 1.021 | 1.011 | 1.014
508 |Machinery 0.977 | 1.059 | 1.014 | 1.063 | 1.113 | 1.081 | 1.011 | 1.005 | 1.018 | 1.020 | 1.009 | 1.005
509 |Other Durable | 0.956 | 0.995 | 0.949 | 0.964 | 1.048 | 1.007 | 1.027 | 0.989 | 0.993 | 0.983 | 0.966 | 0.990
51 Nondurable | 0.988 | 1.028 | 1.009 | 1.015 | 1.068 | 1.029 | 0.960 | 0.956 | 0.965 | 1.009 | 1.018 | 0.956
511 |Paper 0.965 | 1.000 | 0.935 | 0.996 | 1.063 | 0.996 | 1.000 | 0.982 | 0.979 | 1.008 | 1.005 | 0.982
512 |Drugs 0.964 | 0.996 | 0.944 | 1.010 | 1.070 | 1.000 | 0.989 | 0.967 | 0.955 | 1.006 | 1.004 | 0.967
513 |Apparel 1,056 | 0.995 | 0.833 | 0.960 | 1.131 | 0.986 | 1.032 | 1.018 | 0.975 | 0.962 | 0.962 | 1.017
514 |Groceries 1.020 | 1.026 | 1.032 | 0.984 | 1.052 | 1.027 | 0.998 | 0.987 | 0.994 | 0.987 | 0.982 | 0.987
515 |Farm-products | 0.883 | 0.945 | 0.954 | 0.943 | 1.066 | 0.949 | 0.749 | 0.769 | 0.830 | 0.991 | 1.091 | 0.770
516 |Chemicals 0.990 | 1.097 | 1.019 | 1.020 | 1.067 | 1.088 | 0.999 | 0.995 | 1.014 | 1.002 | 1.006 | 0.997
517 |Petroleum 0.970 | 0.988 | 0.991 | 1.028 | 1.020 | 0.989 | 0.971 | 0.957 | 1.000 | 0.992 | 0.970 | 0.958
518 [Alcohol 1.034 | 1.108 | 1.020 | 1.000 | 1.011 | 1.099 | 1.020 | 1.014 | 0.967 | 0.993 | 0.998 | 1.011
519 j|Other Nondur. | 0.978 | 1.089 | 1.178 | 1.154 | 1.082 | 1.105 | 0.944 | 0.952 | 0.995 | 1.058 | 1.080 | 0.955

Revised

1 Adjusted sales and inventories data shown in Table 1 are obtained by dividing the unadjusted data by the
adjustment factors shown above for the corresponding group. Adjusted data for the totals are obtained by adding
the durable and nondurable goods. Seasonal factors shown for the totals will provide an approximation of the
adjusted estimates, but may show small differences from the published data.

Note: The seasonal factors shown have been computed based on monthly estimates through the current month
preliminary estimates.

U.S. Census Bureau


Table 1. Estimated Monthly Sales, Inventories, and Inventories/Sales Ratios of Merchant Wholesalers: 1999 and 1998

{in millions of dollars)

Sales Inventories Inventories/Sales
Monthly Percent change Monthly Percent change Ratios
SIC'| Kind of Nov. | Oct. | Nov. | Nov] Oct./|Nov.99 Nov. | Oct. | Nov. | Nov./] Oct |Nov. 99] Nov. ] Oct. | Nov.
code} Business | 1999 | 1999 | 1998 | Oct. | Sep. |Nov. 98] 1999 | 1999 | 1998 | Oct. | Sep. |Nov. 98] 1999] 1999 | 1998
{p) i] ( (p) {n (n fp) | (| tr)
U.S. Total | 236,805] 233,048] 212,157] 0.8] 11.6] 302,947] 299,793] 285,615] 1.1) 0.4, 6.1] 1.28] 1.29] 1.35
50 | Durable 125,961] 124,079] 112,796 0.7} 11.7] 198,095] 195,249] 186,263, 1.5| 0.9] 6.4) 1.57] 1.57] 1.65
501 |Automotive 19,725] 19,967] 17,488 2.7| 12.8] 29,389] 28,706] 25,823] 2.4] 0.4) 13.8] 1.49] 1.44] 1.48
502 |Furniture 4,197] 4,219| 3,976 23] 5.6] 6,193] 6,391) 5,983) 3.1] 4.2) 3.5) 1.48] 1.51] 1.50
503 |Lumber 9,015] 8,734} 7,820] 3.2) -0.6| 15.3] 9,045] 9,147] 8,193] -1.1) 1.3] 10.4] 1.00] 1.05] 1.05
504 |Prof. equip. 23,428) 23,176) 20,632} 1.1) 0.2) 13.6 26,539| 26,132] 26,418} 1.6, 2.2) 0.5] 1.13] 1.13) 1.28
505 |Metals 8,079] 7,783) 7,722! 3.8] 3.1] 4.6] 13,138} 12,901] 13,825] 1.8) 1.1] -6.0| 1.63] 1.66] 1.79
506 Electrical 21,073] 20,190] 17,724) 4.41 1.7) 18.9] 29,682] 28,929} 26,148) 2.6, 28, 13.5] 1.41] 1.43] 1.48
507 |Hardware 6,715] 6,608} 6,505] 1.6) -0.1) 3.2] 13,386) 13,187] 13,277] 1.51 0.2] 0.8] 1.99] 2.00] 2.04
508 |Machinery 20,554} 20,474] 20,017] 0.4] -1.3| 2.7) 51,699] 51,430] 49,157] 0.5) -0.9} 5.2] 2.62] 251] 2.46
509 |Other Durable | 13,174] 12,928] 10,912] 1.9] -0.8] 20.7] 19,024] 18,426] 17,439] 3.2) 0.9) 9.1] 1.44] 1.431 1.60
51 | Nondurable | 110,844] 108,969} 99,361) 1.7] 1.0] 11.6] 104,852} 104,544] 99,352) 0.3} -0.3/ 5.5] 0.95} 0.96) 1.00
511 |Paper 8,651} 8,515] 7,750] 1.6] 0.2} 11.6] 10,137] 9,970] 9,349] 1.7] -o.9} 8.4} 1.17] 1.47] 1.21
512 |Drugs 12,781] 12,318] 10,811] 3.8] -0.4) 18.2] 17,876] 18,039] 14,916, -0.9] 28] 19.8) 1.40] 1.46] 1.38
513 | Apparel 8,186] 7,852} 7,056} 4.3} 2.0] 16.0] 11,342] 11,334] 12,688] 0.1] -0.6] -10.6] 1.39] 1.44] 1.80
514 |Groceries 31,873] 31,265] 29,376] 1.0] 0.8) 7.6] 19,202] 18,714] 17,037] 26] 0.9| 127] 0.61) 0.60] 0.58
515 |Farm-products| 8,302) 3,418] 8,701] -1.4] 2.1] 4.6 11,042] 11,462] 11,120] -3.7| -9. 1.33] 1.36] 1.28
516 |Chemicals 4,534] 4,434] 4519] 23! 07) 0.3] 4,667| 4,703] 4,921] -0.8 1.03] 1.06] 1.09
517 |Petroleum 13,048] 13,110] 9,838] -0.5] -1.4] 32.6} 4,019] 3,938 3,954) 2.1 0.31] 0.30] 0.40
518 {Alcohol 5,831] 5,817) 5,279] 0.2) 3.0] 10.5) 6,238] 6,327] 6,154] -1.4] E 1.07} 1.09] 1.17
519 |Other Nondur. | 17,938] 17,240] 16,031) 4.0] 3.4] 11.9] 20,329] 20,057] 19,213] 1.4] 2.7 5.8 1.13] 1.16] 1.20
Sales to date
1999 | 1998
U.S. Total | 236.528] 237.657] 205,584] -0.5) 0.1} 15.1] 305,638) 302,335] 288,222] 1.1) 3.3] 6.0] 2,478,206| 2,315,832
50 | Durable 128,273) 128,180] 108,648] | -2.3] -0.3| _15.3| 196,279 194,568) 184,640/ 0.9] 1.0 6.3) 1,329,238] 1,244,653,
501 | Automotive 19,567] 20,087] 16,684} -2.6) 6.1] 17.3] 29,477 28,706] 25,952] 27] 1.8] 13.6) 207,622| 184,918
502 |Furniture 4,466] 4,460] 4,143] 0.1] 2.5] 7.8] 6,156] 6,480| 5,953] 5.0 20] 3.4] 45,261] 43,880
503 |Lumber 8,799] 9,188} 7,351) -4.21 -1.8] 19.7) 8,710] 8,827] 7,898} -1.3] -2.1) 10.3] 95,700] 84,514
504 |Prof. equip. 22,539] 23,431} 19,332] -3.8| 16.6] 26,804] 26,341] 26,682) 1.81 43] 0.5] 245,987| 232,506
505 |Metals 7,804 7,931) 7,212] | -1.6 8.2) 12,849] 12,643] 13,507) 1.6, 0.2] -4.9] 85,329] 88,864
506 |Electrical 21,198] 21,563) 17,423) -1.7| 21.7] 29,266} 28,466] 25,808 2.8/0.6, 13.4) 213,519) 194,238
507 |Hardware 6,755] 6,998] 6,342) -3.5 6.5] 13,145] 12,960] 13,051] 1.5] -0.9] 07} 74,906] 71,259
508 |Machinery 20,061} 20,249] 18,736] -0.9} 7.4] 50,924] 57,019] 48,420} -0.2] 0.0] 5.2! 223,617] 220,940
509 {Other Durable | 14,083] 14,273) 11,425] -1.3] 23.3) 18,948} 19,126] 17,369) -0.9) 1.5] 9.1) 137,297] 123,534
51 | Nondurable | 111.255] 109,477| 96,936| 1.6 14.8] 109,359] 107,777] 103,582] 1.5[ 7.8] 5.6] 1,148,968] 1,071,179
511 |Paper 8539] 8,745] 7,417] -2.4| 15.1] 10,390] 9,970] 9,573] 4.2) 0.8] 8.5| 90,103 82,385
512 |Drugs 13,024] 12,281] 10,562} 6.0 23.3| 17,858] 18,364] 14,901) -2.8] 67] 19.8] 132,085] 112,318
513 | Apparel 7,760] 8,480| 6,470] -8.5 19.9] 11,081) 11,243] 12,373] -1.4| -1.7] -10.4] 85,902) 57,598
514 |Groceries 31,698] 31,202] 28,906] 1.6] 9.7] 19,970] 19,594] 17,701] 1.9] 5.4] 12.8] 330,805] 316,470
515 |Farm-products | 9,257] 8,999] 9,275] 2.9} -0.2) 14,046| 13,709] 14,100] 2.5] 48.6] -0.4] 91,270] 97,597
516 |Chemicals 4,457) 4,447) 4,261] 0.2] 4.6) 4,676) 4,614) 4,921] 1.3} -0.2)  -5.0] 48,624] 50,584
517 [Petroleum 13,452} 13,254] 9,858] 1.5 36.5] 4,144] 4,096] 4,069} 1.2] -0.4, 1.8] 130,708] 110,517
518 [Alcohol 6,169] 5,829] 5,342) 5.8 15.5] 6,662} 6,852) 6,579) -28| 3.4] 1.3] 60,299] 55,561
519 |Other Nondur. | 16,898] 16,240) 14,845| 4.1 13.8] 20,532] 19,335) 19,367} 6.2] 5.6] _—6.0]_179,172] 165,943
p Preliminary estimate. r Revised.

1 For a full description of the SIC codes shown above, see the "1987 Standard Industrial Classification Manual" or the Current Business Reports
“Annual Benchmark Report for Wholesale Trade” publication.

2 Data adjusted for seasonal variations and, in the case of sales, also for trading-day differences. See Table 3 for seasonal adjustment factors used.

US. Census Bureau


CURRENT BUSINESS REPORTS

U.S. Department of Commerce
Economics and Statistics Administration
BUREAU OF THE CENSUS

Monthly Wholesale Trade

Sales and Inventories

February 1999
BW/99-2
Issued April 1999

MONTHLY WHOLESALE TRADE: SALES AND INVENTORIES
FEBRUARY 1999

Note: In order to incorporate information from the 1997 economic census, we will delay the release of revised data,
originally scheduled for the week of May 3, until this summer. A new release date will be announced next month.

Sales. February 1999 sales of merchant wholesalers, after
adjustment for seasonal variations and trading-day differences but
not for price changes, were $217.6 billion, up 1.0 percent
(+/- 0.7%) from the revised January level and were 3.2 percent
(+/-1,0%) above the February 1998 level. The January preliminary
estimate was revised upward $0.2 billion or 0.1 percent. February
sales of durable goods increased 2.0 percent (+/-1.1%) from
January and were 4.3 percent (+/-1.7%) above last February.
Compared to last month, sales of motor vehicles and automotive
equipment increased 5.7 percent, and lumber and other construction
materials grew 2.5 percent. Among nondurable goods, sales of
farm-product raw materials were up 3.0 percent from last month,
while chemicals and allied products fell 5.4 percent.

Inventories. Total inventories of merchant wholesalers, after
adjustment for seasonal variations but not for price changes, were
$287.7 billion at the end of February, up 0.6 percent (+/-0.4%)
from the revised January level and were 4.4 percent (+/-1.0%)
above February 1998. The January preliminary estimate was revised
downward $0.4 billion or 0.1 percent. End-of-month inventories of

durable goods increased 0.5 percent (+/-0.5%) from last month and
were 4.3 percent (+/-1.2%) above February 1998. Compared to
last month, inventories of professional and commercial equipment
and supplies increased 3.0 percent, while metals and minerals,
except petroleum were down 2.0 percent. End-of-month inventories
of nondurable goods increased 0.8 percent (+/-0.5%) from January
and were 4.7 percent (+/-1,6%) above last year. Inventories of
apparel, piece goods and notions increased 4.7 percent from January
and beer, wine, and distilled alcoholic beverages were up 2.9
percent.

Inventories/Sales Ratio, The February inventories/sales ratio for
merchant wholesalers, based on seasonally adjusted data, was 1.32.
The February 1998 ratio was 1.31.

Data in this report are based on a sample and, therefore, are subject
to sampling and nonsampling variability. A discussion of the
reliability of the data and general survey methodology appears in
BW/97-RV Current Business Reports.

Monthly Inventories/Sales Ratios of Merchant Wholesalers: 1990 to 1999

(Data adjusted for seasonal and trading-

1.40

day differences, but not for price changes)

1.35 /

1.30 L

1.25 £

1.20

Tt

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Monthly Wholesale Trade for March is scheduled to be released May 7, 1999 at 10:00 a.m.

Address inquiries concerning this report to Service Sector Statistics Division, Bureau of the Census, Washington, DC 20233, or
call Ronald Piencykoski, (301) 457-2779 or 457-2764. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402.

This report is available on day of issue through the Department of Commerce's online Economic Bulletin Board (202-482-1986).
The data are also available on the internet - http://www.census.gov/svsd/www/mwts.html.


Table 2. Coefficients of Variation and Standard Error for Sales and Inventories

i Coefficients of
ffi
Coefficients of variation for level Standard error for trend Variation for level | Standard error
{x 100) for trend
Ratio of two 100)

sic |. Preliminary Year-to-year Cumulative sales | Current year

cade | Kind of Business estimates Final estimates consecutive estimates estimates cumulative
Sales | Inv. | Sales | Inv. | Sales | inv. | Sales | inv. | Current | Previous to

previous year

Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Yee year cumulative
U.S. Total 1.3 1.5 1.2 1.5 0.4 0.2 0.8 0.7 1.3 41 0.7
50 | Durable 1.8 2.5 1.8 2.5 0.6 0.3 4 0.8 18 2.2 0.9
501 |Automotive 45 4.8 45 48 141 0.8 2.3 3.1 4.6 5.1 2.0
502 |Furniture 6.4 79 6.4 7.9 2.2 1.0 2.8 2.3 5.9 6.5 1.8
503 |Lumber 5.7 5.3 5.6 5.3 1.3 0.8 24 2.9 5.7 5.7 15
504 |Prof. equip. 6.6 7.0 6.6 7.0 1.4 0.5 3.3 2.0 6.6 5.6 3.0
505 |Metals 6.1 10.7 | 5.1 10.4 | 1.4 0.7 1.6 2.4 5.0 5.0 0.9
506 [Electrical 5.5 7.2 5.6 7.2 1.4 0.6 24 2.3 5.6 6.4 1.9
507 |Hardware 5.5 6.6 5.6 6.6 1.2 0.6 1.6 2.1 5.5 5.6 0.9
508 |Machinery 6.1 6.7 6.1 67 2.0 0.5 24 1.6 5.9 6.6 17
509 |Other Durable 6.4 9.6 6.4 9.6. 1.4 0.9 2.2 2.9 6.3 6.0 1.6
51 | Nondurable 2.0 25 2.0 24 0.6 0.4 0.9 1.3 2.0 1.8 0.6
511 |Paper 5.1 5.1 5.0 5.1 1.0 0.5 1.8 15 5.8 5.3 1.0
512 |Drugs 6.3 48 6.3 47 1.0 0.6 2.2 1.6 6.1 6.7 1.4
513 |Apparel 5.5 7.2 5.4 7.3 24 inl 3.2 2.4 49 4.5 1.9
514 |Groceries 3.0 49 3.0 49 0.6 0.6 11 1.4 3.0 3.2 0.7
515 |Farm-products | 6.8 8.9 6.8 8.6 2.3 15 2.8 4.2 6.8 5.8 2.3
516 |Chemicals 5.4 6.3 5.6 6.3 1.3 0.9 1.8 2.3 5.3 5.6 0.9
517 |Petroleum 7.0 | 13.7 | 69 | 13.7 1.0 1.3 1.6 1.9 6.8 6.8 14
518 |Alcohol 6.1 8.5 6.2 8.6 15 1.3 1.8 2.0 6.0 6.3 14
519 |Other Nondur. | 6.6 8.3 67 8.0 1.9 1. 44 4.2 7A 5.5 27

Note: The median measures of variability are based on the most recent 12 months of data.

Sample Design and Reliability of Data

There are two types of errors possible in an estimate
based on a sample survey: sampling and nonsampling.

Sampling errors occur because observations are made on
a sample, not on the entire population, and different
samples could have led to different estimates. Standard
errors and coefficients of variation, as calculated for this
report, are measures of sampling variation. The margin
of sampling error, as used on page 1, gives a range
about the estimate which is a 90% confidence interval.
If, for example, the trend estimate is up 1.2% and the
standard error is 0.9%, then the margin of sampling
error is +1.65 x 0.9% or +1.5%, and the 90%
confidence interval is -0.3% to +2.7%. If the interval
contains O, it cannot be stated with certainty whether
there was an increase or decrease. For monthly level,
the coefficient of variation (CV) is given. The resulting
confidence interval is the estimated value +1.65 x CV x
(the estimated value).

Nonsampling errors are usually attributed to many

possible sources: (1) coverage error - failure to
accurately represent all population units in the sample,

USS. Census Bureau

(2) inability to obtain information about all sample cases,
(3) response errors, possibly due to definitional
difficulties or misreporting, (4) mistakes in recording or
coding the data obtained, and (5) other errors of
collection or processing, or in imputing for missing or
inconsistent data. Coverage error has an effect on the
accuracy of estimates for this survey to the extent that
the administrative records system, which forms the basis
of our survey universe frame, does not contain all legal
businesses. A major source of nonsampling error in the
published estimates is due to the need to impute data for
nonrespondents and for late and inconsistent reports.
For all kinds of businesses combined, imputed data
amount to about 31 percent of the total monthly
wholesale sales estimates and 32 percent of the total
monthly wholesale inventories estimates.

Nonsampling errors also occur in complete censuses.
Although no direct measures of these errors have been
obtained, precautionary steps were taken in all phases of
the collection, processing, and tabulation of the data to
minimize their influence.


CURRENT BUSINESS REPORTS

U.S. Department of Commerce
Economics and Statistics Administration
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

Monthly Wholesale Trade

Sales and Inventories

June 1999
BW/99-6
Issued August 1999

MONTHLY WHOLESALE TRADE: SALES AND INVENTORIES
JUNE 1999

Notice of Revised Data: Monthly wholesale data were revised based on the preliminary results of the 1997 Census of Wholesale
Trade. The Annual Benchmark Report for Wholesale Trade showing revised data was released on August 6, 1999.

Sales. June 1999 sales of merchant wholesalers, after adjustment
for seasonal variations and trading-day differences but not for price
changes, were $228.1 billion, up 1.9 percent (+/-0.6%) from the
revised May level and were 8.3 percent (+/-1.2%) above the June
1998 level. The May preliminary estimate was revised upward $0.7
billion or 0.3 percent. June sales of durable goods increased 1.3
percent from last month (+/-0.8%) and were 6.9 percent (+/-1.7%)
above last year. Compared to last month, sales of electrical goods
increased 2.1 percent and motor vehicles and automotive equipment
grew 1.7 percent. June sales of nondurable goods increased 2.6
percent (+/-0.9%) from May and were up 9.9 percent (+/-1.2%) from
last year. Sales of chemicals and allied products were up 4.4
percent from last month and farm-product raw materials were up 4.3
percent.

Inventories. Total inventories of merchant wholesalers, after
adjustment for seasonal variations but not for price changes, were
$291.0 billion at the end of June, up 0.3 percent (+/-0.4%) from the

revised May level and were 4.3 percent (+/-0.9%) above June 1998.
The May preliminary estimate was revised downward $0.5 billion or
0.2 percent. End-of-month inventories of durable goods increased
0.5 percent (+/-0.5%) from last month and were 4.8 percent
(+/-1.4%) above June 1998. Among nondurable goods, inventories
of petroleum and petroleum products increased 6.3 percent from
May, while inventories of apparel, piece goods, and notions fell 4.8
percent.

Inventories/Sales Ratio. The June inventories/sales ratio for
merchant wholesalers, based on seasonally adjusted data, was 1.28.
The June 1998 ratio was 1.32.

Data in this report are based on a sample and, therefore, are
subject to sampling and nonsampling variability. A discussion of
the reliability of the data and general survey methodology
appears in BW/98-A Current Business Reports.

Monthly Inventories/Sales Ratios of Merchant Wholesalers: 1990 to 1999
(Data adjusted for seasonal and trading-day differences, but not for price changes)

1.40

1.35 b

1.30 +

1.25 +

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Monthly Wholesale Trade for July is scheduled to be released September 8, 1999 at 10:00 a.m.

Address inquiries concerning this report to Service Sector Statistics Division, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233, or
call Ronald Piencykoski, 301-457-2779 or 301-457-2764. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.

This report is available on day of issue through the Department of Commerce’s online Economic Bulletin Board (202-482-1986).
The data are also available on the Internet - http://www.census.gov/svsd/www/mwts.html.


Table 2. Coefficients of Variation and Standard Error for Sales and Inventories

ri Coefficients of
ick
Coefficients of variation for level Standard error for trend variation for level | Standard error
{x 100) for trend
Ratio of two {x 100)
SIC | kind of Business Preliminary Final estimates consecutive Your to-year Cumulative sales | Current year
code estimates month: estimates estimates cumulative
Sales | Inv. | Sales | Inv. | Sales | Inv. | Sales | Inv. | Current | Previous to
i
Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Y°" year veumatateve J
U.S. Total 1.2 15 Ww 14 0.4 0.2 0.8 0.8 1.3 1 0.7
50 | Durable 1.8 2.5 1.8 24 0.6 0.3 11 1.0 1.8 2.2 1.0
501 |Automotive 44 48 4.3 48 1.0 0.9 2.3 3.0 4.4 5.1 21
502 |Furniture 6.5 79 6.4 7.8 2.0 1.0 27 2.5 6.1 6.6 1.5
503 |Lumber 5.5 5.3 5.3 5.3 1.3 0.7 24 2.6 57 5.7 1.4
504 |Prof. equip. 6.3 7.0 6.0 7.0 1.4 0.7 3.3 2.1 6.6 5.5 3.0
505 |Metals 5.0 10.1 5.0 10.0 11 0.8 1.6 2.8 49 4.8 0.8
506 |Electrical 5.6 71 5.7 7.0 1.3 0.6 2.3 2.3 5.6 6.3 2.0
507 |Hardware 5.4 6.5 5.5 6.3 1.3 0.7 1.6 24 5.7 5.7 if
508 |Machinery 6.2 6.7 6.3 6.6 2.1 0.6 2.6 2.0 6.0 6.8 2.0
509 |Other Durable 6.3 9.4 6.4 9.2 14 0.9 2.1 24 6.4 6.1 1.7
51 | Nondurable 2.0 2.3 1.9 2.2 0.6 0.4 1.0 1.3 2.0 WT 0.6
511 |Paper 5.0 5.1 5.0 6.1 ie! 0.6 1.8 V7 5.4 5.1 1.0
512 |Drugs 6.3 4.8 6.3 48 1.0 0.6 2.2 1.6 6.2 6.8 1.2
513 |Apparel 5.4 7.3 5.0 7.5 2.2 Ww 3.0 2.5 47 4.5 1.8
514 |Groceries 3.0 49 3.0 49 0.7 0.6 14 1.3 3.0 3.0 0.8
515 |Farm-products | 6.8 8.6 6.8 8.6 2.3 1.6 2.9 4.2 6.4 5.7 2.3
516 |Chemicals 5.6 6.3 5.7 6.4 1.3 0.7 1.9 2.2 5.3 5.8 1
517 Petroleum 6.9 14.0 6.9 14.0 1.0 1.3 1.7 1.9 6.9 7.3 1.4
518 |Alcohol 6.2 6.3 8.7 1.5 14 1.5 8.8 6.0 6.3 1.3
519 jOther Nondur. | 6.4 6.5 76 1.9 1.2 4.1 44 6.7 5.5 2.8

Note: The median measures of variability are based on the most recent 12 months of data.

Sample Design and Reliability of Data

There are two types of errors possible in an estimate
based on a sample survey: sampling and nonsampling.

Sampling errors occur because observations are made on
a sample, not on the entire population, and different
samples could have led to different estimates. Standard
errors and coefficients of variation, as calculated for this
report, are measures of sampling variation. The margin
of sampling error, as used on page 1, gives a range
about the estimate which is a 90% confidence interval.
If, for example, the trend estimate is up 1.2% and the
standard error is 0.9%, then the margin of sampling
error is +1.65 x 0.9% or +1.5%, and the 90%
confidence interval is -0.3% to +2.7%. If the interval
contains 0, it cannot be stated with certainty whether
there was an increase or decrease. For monthly level,
the coefficient of variation (CV) is given. The resulting
confidence interval is the estimated value +1.65 x CV x
(the estimated value).

Nonsampling errors are usually attributed to many

possible sources: (1) coverage error - failure to
accurately represent all population units in the sample,

U.S. Census Bureau

(2) inability to obtain information about all sample cases,
(3) response errors, possibly due to definitional
difficulties or misreporting, (4) mistakes in recording or
coding the data obtained, and (5) other errors of
collection or processing, or in imputing for missing or
inconsistent data. Coverage error has an effect on the
accuracy of estimates for this survey to the extent that
the administrative records system, which forms the basis
of our survey universe frame, does not contain all legal
businesses. A major source of nonsampling error in the
published estimates is due to the need to impute data for
nonrespondents and for late and inconsistent reports.
For all kinds of businesses combined, imputed data
amount to about 31 percent of the total monthly
wholesale sales estimates and 32 percent of the total
monthly wholesale inventories estimates.

Nonsampling errors also occur in complete censuses.
Although no direct measures of these errors have been
obtained, precautionary steps were taken in all phases of
the collection, processing, and tabulation of the data to
minimize their influence.


Table 2. Coefficients of Variation and Standard Error for Sales and Inventories

Coefficients of Standard
Coefficients of variation for level Standard error for trend variation for level | etror for
(x 100)
— (x 190) trend
- fatio of two a
SIC | sind of Business | Preliminary Final estimates consecutive Year-to-year Cumulative sales | Current year
code estimates months estimates estimates cumulative
Sales | inv | Sales | inv | Sales | inv | Sales | nv | current | Previous to
Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Yee" year previous year
U.S. Total | 1.1 1A 41 13 04 | 02 0.8 0.9 1.2 Ww 0.7
50 | Durable 1.8 24 1.9 2.3 06 | 03 .f 1.0 18 2.2 1.0
501 |Automotive 43 4.8 4.2 4.8 1.0 0.8 2.2 2.9 44 5.1 21
502 |Furniture 6.5 7.8 6.4 77 2.0 1.0 2.8 2.6 6.1 6.7 1.6
503 |Lumber 5.5 5.3 5.2 5.3 13 0.7 2.0 25 5.7 5.7 1.4
504 |Prof. equip. 6.0 7.0 5.7 7.0 13 0.7 3.2 24 6.6 5.5 29
505 |Metals 5.0 | 10.0 | 5.0 9.9 1 0.8 1.6 3.0 4.9 47 0.9
506 |Electrical 5.6 6.9 5.7 6.7 14 0.6 2.3 2.3 5.6 6.2 24
507 |Hardware 5.4 6.3 5.6 6.1 1.2 07 1.6 24 5.5 5.7 1.2
508 |Machinery 6.3 6.6 6.3 6.5 24 0.6 2.6 2.0 6.0 6.8 24
509 [Other Durable | 6.3 9.2 6.4 8.9 1.6 0.9 21 2.3 6.4 61 18
51 | Nondurable 1.9 2.2 1.9 2.2 0.6 05 1.0 1.3 19 17 0.6
511 {Paper 5.0 5.1 49 5.1 Ww 0.6 2.0 1.9 5.2 5.0 1.0
512 |Drugs 6.3 4.9 6.3 48 1.0 0.6 24 1.6 6.4 6.9 1.2
513 {Apparel 5.1 7.6 49 75 2.2 1 2.9 25 4.6 4.6 1.6
514 |Groceries 3.0 49 3.0 5.1 0.7 0.6 11 1.2 3.0 3.0 0.8
515 |Farm-products | 6.8 8.6 6.6 8.4 2.3 1.6 2.8 4.2 6.4 5.6 2.3
516 |Chemicals 5.6 6.3 5.6 6.4 14 | 07 2.0 24 5.2 5.8 1.2
517 |Petroleum 69 | 141 | 67 | 143 | o9 1.4 17 1.8 7A 7.2 1.3
518 |Alcohol 6.3 87 6.3 8.7 15 1.3 1.5 | 15.7 6.1 6.4 1.3
519 |Other Nondur. | _ 6.4 7.6 6.4 7.6 1.9 1.2 4.2 41 6.4 5.6 2.9
Note:

The median measures of variability are based on the most recent 12 months of data.

Sample Design and Reliability of Data

There are two types of errors possible in an estimate
based on a sample survey: sampling and nonsampling.

Sampling errors occur because observations are made on
a sample, not on the entire population, and different
samples could have led to different estimates. Standard
errors and coefficients of variation, as calculated for this
report, are measures of sampling variation. The margin
of sampling error, as used on page 1, gives a range
about the estimate which is a 90% confidence interval.
If, for example, the trend estimate is up 1.2% and the
standard error is 0.9%, then the margin of sampling
error is £1.65 x 0.9% or +1.5%, and the 90%
confidence interval is -0.3% to +2.7%. If the interval
contains 0, it cannot be stated with certainty whether
there was an increase or decrease. For monthly level,
the coefficient of variation (CV) is given. The resulting
confidence interval is the estimated value +1.65 x CV x
{the estimated value).

Nonsampling errors are usually attributed to many
possible sources: (1) coverage error - failure to
accurately represent all population units in the sample,

U.S. Census Bureau

(2) inability to obtain information about all sample cases,
(3) response errors, possibly due to definitional
difficulties or misreporting, (4) mistakes in recording or
coding the data obtained, and (5) other errors of
collection or processing, or in imputing for missing or
inconsistent data. Coverage error has an effect on the
accuracy of estimates for this survey to the extent that
the administrative records system, which forms the basis
of our survey universe frame, does not contain all legal
businesses. A major source of nonsampling error in the
published estimates is due to the need to impute data for
nonrespondents and for late and inconsistent reports.
For all kinds of businesses combined, imputed data
amount to about 31 percent of the total monthly
wholesale sales estimates and 32 percent of the total
monthly wholesale inventories estimates.

Nonsampling errors also occur in complete censuses.
Although no direct measures of these errors have been
obtained, precautionary steps were taken in all phases of
the collection, processing, and tabulation of the data to
minimize their influence.



U.S. Department of Commerce FIRST-CLASS MAIL

U.S. Census Bureau

Washington, DC 20233 CENSUS

Official Business
Penalty for Private Use, $300

POSTAGE & FEES PAID

PERMIT No. G-58

Table 3. Seasonal Adjustment Factors for Sales and Inventories of Merchant Wholesalers

sic Kind of Sales Inventories

code Business 1999 1998 1999 1998
Oct. | Sep.r | Aug.r | Jul. Jun. | Sep.r ] Oct. | Sep.r | Aug.r[ Jul. Jun. | Sep.r

U.S. Total’ | 1.021 | 1.026 | 1.015 | 0.990 | 1.043 | 1.027 | 1.007 | 0.983 | 0.981 0.993 | 0.985 | 0.982

50 Durable 1.037 | 1.044 | 1.024 | 0.995 | 1.058 | 1.048 | 0.996 | 0.997 | 1.001 | 1.012 | 1.001 | 0.997
501 |Automotive 0.998 | 0.976 | 1.001 | 1.006 | 1.064 | 0.986 | 0.999 | 0.989 | 0.973 | 0.992 | 0.988 | 0.987
502 |Furniture 1,052 | 1.054 | 1.038 | 0.975 | 1.008 | 1.041 | 1.002 | 1.039 | 1.038 | 1.026 | 1.016 | 1.038
503 |Lumber 1,062 | 1.063 | 1.114 | 1.081 | 1.123 | 1.075 | 0.962 | 1.001 | 1.011 | 1.027 | 1.033 | 1.001
504 |Prof. equip. 1.015 | 1.080 | 1.004 | 0.981 | 1.064 | 1.079 | 1.004 | 0.989 | 0.996 | 1.012 | 0.994 | 0.988
505 |Metals 1.014 | 1,017 | 1.022 | 0.972 | 1.054 | 1.027 | 0.979 | 0.990 | 0.998 | 1.009 | 1.003 | 0.989
506 Electrical 1.072 | 1.086 | 1.045 | 0.998 | 1.035 | 1.092 | 0.983 | 1.007 | 1.025 | 1.029 | 1.020 | 1.007
507 |Hardware 1,071 | 1,040 | 1.054 | 1.064 | 1.110 | 1.056 | 0.986 | 0.994 | 7.000 | 1.005 | 1.014 | 0.994
508 |Machinery 0.995 | 0,984 | 1.001 | 0.979 | 1.061 | 0.991 | 0.996 | 0.981 | 0.997 | 1.012 | 1.005 | 0.981
509 |Other Durable | 1.114 | 1.094 | 1.027 | 0.960 | 0.998 | 1.092 | 1.041 | 1 .033 | 1.024 | 1.012 | 0.992 | 1.032
51 Nondurable | 1.014 | 1.005 | 1.005 | 0.984 | 1.028 | 1.004 | 1.026 0.959 | 0.944 | 0.958 | 0.956 | 0.959
511 |Paper 1.024 | 1.053 | 1.058 | 0.953 | 1.004 | 1.061 | 1.006 | 0.982 | 0.984 | 1.000 | 0.981 0.982
512 {Drugs 1.006 | 1.012 | 0.991 | 0.965 | 0.998 | 1.024 | 1.013 | 0.982 | 0.974 | 0.989 | 0.969 0.983
513 |Apparet 1.091 | 1.129 | 1.103 | 1.039 | 1.002 | 1.127 | 0.988 | 1.008 | 1.019 | 1.029 | 1.016 | 1.009
514 |Groceries 1.001 | 0.998 | 1.015 | 1.022 | 1.025 | 0.988 | 1.052 | 1.004 | 0.985 | 0.995 | 0.988 1.005
515 |Farm-products | 1.045 | 0.983 | 0.916 | 0.872 | 0.953 | 0.985 | 1.162 0.753 | 0.698 | 0.735 | 0.773 | 0.750
516 |Chemicais 1,001 | 0.991 | 1.035 | 0.995 | 1.092 | 1.003 }| 0.980 | 0.982 | 0.998 | 1.006 | 0.993 | 0.981
517 [Petroleum 1.014 | 0.981 | 1.019 | 0.976 | 0.985 | 0.983 | 1.044 | 1.007 | 0.987 | 0.977 | 0.957 | 1.007
518 [Alcohol 0.995 | 1.032 | 1,049 | 1.027 | 1.110 | 1.023 | 1.089 | 1.044 | 1.001 | 1.016 | 1.015 | 1.044
519 {Other Nondur. | 0.946 | 0.975 | 0.959 | 0.963 | 1.097 | 0.955 0.962 | 0.939 | 0.928 | 0.937 | 0.950 | 0.935

r Revised.

1 Adjusted sales and inventories data shown in Table 1 are obtained by dividing the unadjusted data by the
adjustment factors shown above for the corresponding group. Adjusted data for the totals are obtained by adding
the durable and nondurable goods. Seasonal factors shown for the totals will provide an approximation of the
adjusted estimates, but may show small differences from the published data.

Note: The seasonal factors shown have been computed based on monthly estimates through the current month
preliminary estimates.

U.S. Census Bureau


Table 1. Estimated Monthly Sales, Inventories, and Inventories/Sales Ratios of Merchant Wholesalers: 1999 and 1998
{In millions of dollars]
Sales Inventories Inventories/sales
Monthly Percent change Monthly Percent change ratios
sic* Kind of May | Apr. | May | May/] Apr./|May 99] May | Apr. | May | May/| Apr./|May 99] May | Apr. | May
code Business 1999 | 1999 | 1998 | Apr. | Mar. |May 98} 1999 | 1999 | 1998 | Apr. | Mar. |May 98] 1999] 1999] 1998
: (p) (r) (r) (p) in io {p) | tr) | in
Adjusted”
U.S. Total |225,500|222,267|212,644| 1.5] 0.2] 6.0] 289,644|288,882|277,746| 0.3| 0.2) 4.3| 1.28] 1.30] 1.31
50 | Durable 119,492] 118,066] 112,806} 1.2) -0.1 5.9] 189,049] 188,204] 182,824) 0.4) 0.4) 3.4) 1.58} 1.59} 1.62
501 |Automotive 20,882] 20,840] 18,875] 0.2] 3.2] 10.6] 30,124] 29,805] 28,514] 1.1] 0.0] 5.6] 1.441 1.43] 1.51
502 {Furniture 3,490] 3,452] 3,389) 1.1) -0.5| 3.0] 5,551] 5,557] 5,559] -0.1) -1.0} -0.1] 1.59] 1.61] 1.64
503 jLumber 8,632] 8,430] 7,428} 2.4) 0.9} 16.2) 8,076) 7,919} 7,749] 2.0] 1.7) 4.2) 0.94| 0.94) 1.04
504 |Prof. equip. 22,170} 21,608] 20,858] 2.6 -2.7] 6.3] 23,626| 23,569] 26,837] 0.2) -2.9| -12.0] 1.07| 1.09} 1.29
505 |Metals 8,207| 8,293} 8,828) -1.0] -0.4] -7.0] 13,849] 13,811] 14,259] 0.3] 0.3] -2.9] 1.69] 1.67] 1.62
506 |Electrical 18,447| 18,379] 17,288) 0.4) 0.6] 6.7] 27,895] 27,379) 26,686} 1.9) -1.1] 4.5] 1.51] 1.49] 1.54
507 |Hardware 7.176} 7,051] 6,680] 1.8) -1.4] 7.4] 13,439) 13,481] 13,259] -0.3] -0.5| 1.4] 1.87] 1.91] 1.98
508 |Machinery 18,508] 18,438] 18,716] 0.4) -1.1] -1.1] 49,041] 49,337] 43,891] 0.6] 11.7] 2.65) 2.68] 2.35
509 |Other Durable | 11,980] 11,575] 10,744] 3.5] 0.1] 11.5] 17,448] 17,346] 16,070] 0.6] 8.6] 1.46] 1.50) 1.50
51 | Nondurable | 106,008] 104,201) 99,838} 1.7) 0.6 6.2] 100,595) 100,678] 94,922] -0.1 6.0] 0.95} 0.97) 0.95
511 |Paper 8,252) 7,971) 7,563] 3.5] 2.2} 9.11 9,548] 9,487] 9,118] 0.6) 4.7) 1.16] 1.19) 1.21
512 |Drugs 13,061} 12,800) 10,738] 2.0) 2.5] 21.6] 17,628] 17,062] 15,010] 3.3 17.4] 1.35] 1.33 1.40
513 |Apparel 7,633) 7,322] 6,943] 4.2] -6.6] 9.9] 11,344] 11,462] 12,108] -1.0| -2.4| -6.3] 1.49] 1.57] 1.74
514 |Groceries 29,943) 29,566] 28,422] 1.3] 1.2] 5.4] 17,107] 17,128] 16,490] -0.1] 1.91 3.7] 0.67] 0.58] 0.58
515 |Farm-products | 8,532] 8,079} 8,864] 5.6] -4.8] -3.7] 12,764] 12,699] 9,965] 0.5| 3.6) 28.1] 1.50] 1.57] 1.12
516 |Chemicals 4,248) 4,280) 4,577} -0.7) -2.5) -7.2) 4,971{ 5,041] 5,064] -1.4{ -0.7]}  -1.8) 1.17] 1.18) 1.19
517 |Petroleum 13,929] 13,617) 12,524) 2.3) 7.8) 11.2] 4,133] 4,199] 4,673] -1.6] | -0.3| -11.6) 0.30] 0.31] 0.37
518 |Alcohol 5,081) 5,121] 4,784] -0.8] 1.1) 6.2] 6,197] 5,923] 5,257| 4.6] 0.3] 17.9] 1.22) 1.16] 1.10
519 {Other Nondur. | 15,329] 15,445] 15,423] -0.8| -1.7] -0.6| 16,902] 17,677] 17,237] -2.4| -1.7|  -1.9|_a.101 141 1.12
Not Adjusted Sales to date
1999 1998
U.S. Total | 224,014} 226,055] 210,362] -0.5} -5.5] 6.5] 287,824] 290,954] 276,348] -1.1] 0.11 4.2 1,082,201] 1,039,352
50 | Durable 116,968] 118,902] 110,142] -1.6| -7.0] —_ 6.2] 190,898] 189,828) 184,470] 0.6) 3.5| 570,941] 547,667
501 |Automotive 20,924] 21,819] 18,950] -4.1) -3.9| 10.4] 30,308] 30,163] 28,714] 0.5 6.5] 101,941] 92,151
502 |Furniture 3,382} 3,497) 3,274] -3.3] -3.8] 3.3] 5,557] 5,413] 5,565, 2.71 -0.1] 16,553] 16,458
503 |Lumber 8,813) 8,599] 7,620} 25 1.11 15.5] 8,318] 8,157] 7.974] 2.0) 4.3{ 39,264) 35,118
504 |Prof. equip. 20,840} 21,068] 19,523] -1.1] -13.0] 6.7] 23,579] 23,805] 26,756] -0.9 -11,9| 104,556] 101,592
505 |Metals 8,076] 8,534] 8,704] -5.4] -7.1] -7.2] 13,932] 13,880] 14,330] 0.41 -2.8] 42,001] 44,513
506 Electrical 17,598] 17,736] 16,475] -0.8] -9.4| 6.8] 28,148] 27,269] 26,899] 3.2 4.6] 86,719] 81,712
507 |Hardware 7,040] 6,988| 6,613] 0.7] -1.2] 6.5] 13,762] 13,764] 13,577] 0.0] 1.41 33,173) 31,206
508 |Machinery 18,878] 19,526] 18,810] -3.3| -5.9] 0.4] 49,973] 50,324] 44,6811 -0.7/ 11.8] 91,993] 92,478
509 |Other Durable | 11,417] 11,135] 10,164] 2.5] -8.5| 12.3) 17,926] 17,051] 15,974] 1.6 8.5] 54,741] 62,440
51 | Nondurable | 107,046] 106,153] 100,220] 0.8} | -3.7 6.8) 96,926] 101,128] 91.878] -4.2| 5.5] 511,260] 491,685
511 |Paper 7.674| 7,939] 7,102] -3.3] -4.5] 8.1] 9,386] 9,563] 8,963| -1.9| 4.7|  39,372| 36,560
612 |Drugs 12,408] 12,954] 10,158] -4.2] -3.1] 22.2] 16,853] 17,164] 14,335] -1.8 17.6] 62,101] 53,211
513 |Apparel 6,343] 7,066] 6,749] -10.2] -20.3] 10.3 11,038] 11,038] 11,769] 0.0] -6.2) 35,865] 34,716
514 |Groceries 30,871} 29,123] 28,877] 6.0} -5.4) 6.9] 17,021] 16,957] 16,375] 0.4 3.9] 143,624] 138,035
515 |Farm-products | 8,259] 7,659] 8,474] 7.8] -15.4]  -2.61 10,671] 12,610] 8,351] -15.4| 27.8| 41,646] 46,237
516 |Chemicals 4,378] 4,370] 4,691] 0.1] -6.4 -6.7] 5,031) 5,051] 5,125] -0.4| -1.8} 21,538] 23,102
517 |Petroleum 13,845] 14,025] 12,587] -1.3] 7.6] 10.0] 4,129] 4,161] 4,673] -0.8 -11.6} 63,040] 60,523
518 |Alcohol 8,213] 5,116] 4,923} 1.9] 0.0] 5.9] 5,980] 5,882| 5,084) 1.7 17.6} 23,352] 21,664
519 |Other Nondur. | 18,058] 17,901] 17,659] 0.9] 4.9] _2.3] 16,817] 18,702] 17,203] -10.1 -2.2|  80,722| 77,837
p Preliminary estimate. r Revised.

1 For a full description of the SIC codes shown above, see the "1987 Standard Industrial Classification Manual” or the Current Business Reports
“Annual Benchmark Report for Wholesale Trade” publication.

2 Data adjusted for seasonal variations and, in the case of sales, also for trading-day differences. See Table 3 for seasonal adjustment factors used.

U.S. Census Bureau


Table 1. Estimated Monthly Sales, Inventories, and Inventories/Sales Ratios of Merchant Wholesalers: 1999 and 1998

Un millions of dollars}

Sales Inventories Inventories/Sales
Monthly Percent change Monthly Percent change ratios

sic’ Kind of Mar. | Feb. | Mar. | Mar./| Feb./ |Mar. 99] Mar. | Feb. | Mar. | Mar./| Feb./ Mar. 99] Mar. | Feb. | Mar.
code | business 1999 ] 1999 | 1998 | Feb. | Jan. |Mar. 98) 1999 | 1999 | 1998 | Feb. | Jan. |Mar. 98] 1999 | 1999] 1998
{p) (n) {r) (p) (r) {r) (p) | tr) | tn)

Adjusted”
U.S. Total | 222,195] 218,413] 212,379] 1.7) 1.4) 4.6} 288,585] 287,768]277,249] 0.3] 0.7} 4.1] 1.30] 1.32) 1.31
50 | Durable 118,430] 117,282] 113,137] 1.0] 2.7} 4.7] 188,860] 188,659] 182,567| 0.1] 0.6, 3.4) 1.59] 1.61] 1.61
501 |Automotive 20,406] 21,078] 18,749} -3.2| 6.8] 8.8| 29,623] 29,210] 30,460] 1.1 -3.1| 1.45} 1.39] 1.62
502 |Furniture 3,479| 3,475] 3,450] 0.1] 2.4) 0.8] 5,616] 5,655 5,420] -0.7| 3.6] 1.61] 1.63} 1.57
503 |Lumber 8,338] 8,138] 7,352} 2.5} 2.6] 13.4] 7,770] 7,600] 7,734| 2.2 . 0.5} 0.93} 0.93] 1.05
504 |Prof. equip. 22,049} 21,363] 21,316] 3.2] 1.8 3.4] 24,364] 24,919} 26,891] -2.2) 3.0] -9.4) 1.10] 1.17] 1.26
505 |Metals 8,320] 8,514] 8,949] -2.3] -0.6) -7.0] 13,733] 14,321] 14,097] -4.1] -2.9] -2.6] 1.65] 1.68] 1.58
506 |Electrical 18,3659] 17,989] 17,045] 2.1] 3.3] 7.7] 28,058] 27,999] 26,296] 0.2} 1.0] 6.7) 1.53] 1.56) 1.54
507 |Hardware 7,160] 6,969} 6,568) 2.7] 1.7) 9.0] 13,564] 13,509] 13,042] 0.4] -1.3) 4.0] 1.89) 1.94] 1.99
508 |Machinery 18,628] 18,105} 18,386] 2.9] 0.0] 1.3] 48,798] 48,371] 42,774] 0.9] 0.9] 14.1] 2.62) 2.67] 2.33

509 |Other Durable | 11,691] 11,651] 11,322) 0.3} 3.4] 3.3) 17,434] 17,075! 15,853 2.11 0.8] 10.0] 1.49] 1.47] 1.40
51 | Nondurable |103,765/ 101,131] 99,242} 2.6| -0.1] 4.6] 99,725] 99,109] 94.682} 0.6| 0.8] 5.3] 0.96| 0.98] 0.95

511 |Paper 7,839} 8,007] 7,521] -2.1] -0.2| 4.2| 9,350} 9,284) 9,222| 0.7] 0.9) 1.4) 1.19) 1.16) 1.23
512 |Drugs 12,438] 12,264] 10,944] 1.4[ 2.2] 13.7] 16,247] 15,954] 14,397) 1.8] 1.2) 12.8] 1.31] 1.30] 1.32
513 |Apparel 7,893] 6,956] 7,180] 13.5] -0.7| 12,168} 12,042} -2.2) 4.1] -1.2| 1.61] 1.75] 1.68
514 |Groceries 29,027] 28,723] 28,058] 1.1] 0.5) 16,498] 16,026} 2.1] 2.1 5.1] 0.58] 0.57] 0.57
515 |Farm-products | 8,566] 8,527) 9,189] 0.8) 3.4] 11,856] 10,773] 2.4) -1.6) 12.7] 1.42) 1.39] 1.17
516 |Chemicals 4,409] 4,222] 4,569] 4.4] -5.3 5,175] 4,837) -1.4)  -0.6 5.5] 1.16] 1.23] 1.06
517 |Petroleum 12,651] 11,293] 12,063] 12.0] -2.5 4,176] 4,518] 0.0] 2.1) -7.5] 0.33) 0.37] 0.37
518 |Alcohol 5,078) 5,106] 4,773] -0.5] | -0.1 8,792] 6,300] 1.3] 3.7] 10.7] 1.15) 1.43) 4.11

519 |Other Nondur. | 15,864} 16,033] 14,945} -1.1] -0.8} 6.1] 18,090] 18,206] 17,567| -0.6] -1.8 3.0] 1.14] 1.14) 1.78

Sales to date

1999 71998

U.S. Total | 238,867] 199,655] 222,363] 19.6) 2.2] 7.4] 290,664] 291,598] 279,048| 0.3] 0.1] 4.2] 633,922] 612,989
50 | Durable 128,386] 106,259] 119,747} 20.8) 5.2} 7.2] 188,961] 189,087] 182,652] -0.1] 1.1] 3.5] 335,648| 323,194
501 |Automotive 23,038] 19,413] 20,605] 18.7) 13.7] 11.8] 29,936] 30,437] 30,826] -1.6] 2.5] -2.9] 59,520] 53,587
502 [Furniture 3,642| 3,100} 3,591) 17.5] 5.4] 1.41 5,498] 5,519] 5,317] -0.4 0.4) 3.4) 9,682 9,749
503 |Lumber 8,505] 6,852} 7,242) 24.1) 6.5] 17.4) 7,964] 7,592) 7,943] 4.9] 1.9] 0.3] 21,850] 19,845
504 |Prof. equip. 24,210) 19,376] 22,638] 24.9] 1.7] 6.9] 24,340} 24,695] 26,864] -1.41 1.4) -9.4] 62,641] 61,105
505 |Metals 9,177) 8,063} 9,638} 13.8} -0.9] -4.8] 13,912) 14,393] 14,280] -3.3] -3.5] -2.6| 25,378) 26,709
506 |Electrical 19,736] 16,352} 17,965] 20.7| 5.7] 9.9| 27,609] 27,887] 25,849] -1.0] 1.1] 6.8] 51,554] 48,661
507 |Hardware 7,067} 6,042) 6,364) 17.0] 0.2) 11.0] 13,673] 13,536] 13,159] 1.0] 0.5] 3.9] 19,140] 18,140
508 |Machinery 20,770} 16,657) 19,986] 24.7} 2.9] 3.9] 49,188] 48,226] 43,116] 2.0] 1.9] 14.1] 53,618] 54,007

509 |Other Durable | 12,241] 10,404] 11,718] 17.7 81 4.5) 16,841] 16,802] 15,298 0.2) -0.2) 10.1 32,265) 31,391
51 Nondurable | 110,481; 93,396] 102,616} 18.3] -1.1 7.7} 101,703] 102,511] 96,396] -0.8) -1.6 5.5) 298,274) 289,795

511 |Paper 8,380] 7,575) 7,844) 10.6] -3.8} 6.8] 9,425] 9,256| 9,287] 1.8] -1.2] 1.5] 23,828] 22,057
512 |Drugs 13,358] 11,418] 11,436] 17.0] -4.4) 16.8] 16,409] 16,209] 14,498] 1.2] -4.3] 13.2] 36,723] 32,285
513 |Apparel 8,966] 7,192) 7,991] 24.7) 12.3} 12.2] 11,403] 12,265] 11,548] -7.0] 0.5] -1.3] 22,561] 22,208
514 |Groceries 30,653] 26,138) 28,675] 17.3] -2.1] 6.9] 16,629] 16,168] 15,802) 2.9] 0.3} 5.2] 83,496] 80,802
515 |Farm-products | 9,046} 8,143] 9,501} 11.1] -4.5| -4.8] 13,405] 14,239] 11,915| -5.9] -7.6| 12.5] 25,720/ 29,223
516 |Chemicals 4,669} 3,943] 4,697) 18.4) -5.7) -0.6) 5,117) 5,211] 4,861] -1.8] 0.2) 5.3] 12,795) 13,725
517 |Petroleum 13,094} 10,593] 12,039] 23.6] -8.2) 8.8) 4,057] 4,109} 4,387] -1.3| -0.9] -7.5| 35,227 35,588
518 |Alcohol 5,134) 4,141) 4,606) 24.0] 9.9] 11.5] 5,865} 5,537} 5,284] 5.9] 6.4] 11.0] 13,043] 11,955

519 |Other Nondur. | 17,181} 14,253] 15,827} 20.5] 6.0] __8.6| 19,393] 19,517] 18,814] -0.6] -0.5 3.1] 44,881 41,952

p Preliminary estimate. r Revised.

1 For a full description of the SIC Codes shown above see the "1987 Standard Industrial Classification Manual” or the Current Business Reports
“Annual Benchmark Report for Wholesale Trade" publication. .

2 Data adjusted for seasonal variations and, in the case of sales, also for trading-day differences. See Table 3 for seasonal adjustment factors used.

US. Census Bureau, the Official StatisticsTM May 7, 1999


CURRENT BUSINESS REPORTS

U.S. Department of Commerce
Economics and Statistics Administration
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

Monthly Wholesale Trade

Sales and Inventories

September 1999

BW/99-9
Issued November 1999

MONTHLY WHOLESALE TRADE: SALES AND INVENTORIES
SEPTEMBER 1999

Important Notice: In an effort to reduce cost and provide timely data, information from this report will only be available through the Internet
beginning with the press release covering January 2000 data. Access to the data is free using the Internet site shown at the bottom of this
page. If you have any questions or want a printed copy of future releases, please contact Scott Scheleur at 301-457-2779.

Sales. September 1999 sales of merchant wholesalers, after
adjustment for seasonal variations and trading-day differences but
not for price changes, were $230.9 billion, up 0.5 percent (+/- 0.6%)
from the revised August level and were 9.3 percent (+/- 1.1%) above
the September 1998 level. The August preliminary estimate was
virtually unchanged from last month. Among durable goods, sales of
lumber and other construction materials increased 2.0 percent from
last month, while hardware, plumbing and heating equipment fell 3.2
percent. September sales of nondurable goods increased 0.7
percent (+/-0.6%) from August and were up 9.6 percent (+/-1.7%)
from last year. Compared to last month, sales of groceries and
related products increased 1.6 percent, and paper and paper
products grew 1.3 percent.

Inventories. Total inventories of merchant wholesalers, after
adjustment for seasonal variations but not for price changes, were
$297.8 billion at the end of September, up 0.7 percent (+/- 0.3%)
from the revised August level and were 4.8 percent percent above
(+/-0.9%) September 1998. The August preliminary estimate

was revised upward $0.8 billion or 0.3 percent. End-of-month
inventories of durable goods increased 0.9 percent —_(+/-0.3%) from
last month and were 4.6 percent (+/-1.0%) above September 1998.
Compared to last month, inventories of electrical goods increased
2.0 percent and motor vehicles and automotive equipment grew 1.9
percent. End-of-month inventories of nondurable goods increased
0.4 percent (+/-0.3%) from August and were up 5.1 percent
(+/-2.1%) from last year. Compared to last month, inventories of
petroleum and petroleum products increased 1.3 percent, while beer,
wine and distilled alcoholic beverages fell 2.6 percent.

Inventories/Sales Ratio. The September inventories/sales ratio for
merchant wholesalers, based on seasonally adjusted data, was 1.29.
The September 1998 ratio was 1.34.

Data in this report are based on a sample and, therefore, are
subject to sampling and nonsampling variability. A discussion of
the reliability of the data and general survey methodology
appears in BW/98-A Current Business Reports.

Monthly Inventories/Sales Ratios of Merchant Wholesalers: 1990 to 1999
(Data adjusted for seasonal and trading-day differences, but not for price changes)

1.40

1.35 +

1.20

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Monthly Wholesale Trade for October is scheduled to be released December 9, 1999 at 10:00 a.m.

Address inquiries concerning this report to Service Sector Statistics Division, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233, or
call Scott Scheleur, 301-457-2779 or 301-457-2764. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing

Office, Washington, DC 20402.

This report is available on day of issue through the Department of Commerce’s online Economic Bulletin Board (202-482-1986).
The data are also available on the Internet - http://www.census.gov/svsd/www/mwts.html.


Table 1. Estimated Monthly Sales, Inventories, and Inventories/Sales Ratios of Merchant Wholesalers: 1999 and 1998

{In millions of dollars]

Sales inventories Inventories/sales
Monthly Percent change Monthly Percent change ratios

sic* Kind of Aug. | Jul. | Aug. | Aug./} Jul/ |Aug. 99 Aug. | Jul. | Aug. | Aug./] Jul/ JAug. 99] Aug. | Jul. | Aug.
code | Business 1999 | 1999 | 1998 | Jul. | Jun. |Aug. 981 1999 | 1999 | 1998 | Jul. | Jun. |Aug. 98} 1999 | 1999} 1998

(p) {r) (r) {p) (r) (r) (p) | (| tr)

Adjusted”

U.S. Total | 229,811] 227,293) 209,621) 1.1) -0.3} 9.6] 294,725] 293,982) 281,803] 0.3) 4.6) 1.28) 1.29) 1.34

50 | Durable 122,951] 121,932] 113,303} 0.8) 0.1 8.5] 191,493] 192,346] 184,247}  -0.4| 3.9] 1.56] 1.58] 1.63
501 |Automotive 19,191] 19,141] 17,228] 0.3] 0.9] 11.4] 28,139) 28,082] 25,441} 0.2 10.6) 1.47) 1.47) 1.48
502 |Furniture 4,316| 4,276] 4,064) 0.9] 3.7) 6.5) 6,105) 6,185] 6,023) -1.3 1.4] 1.41) 1.45] 1.49
503 |Lumber 8,653] 8,838] 7,703] -2.1| 0.1) 12.3) 8,869] 8,897) 8,528] -0.3 4.0) 1.02] 1.01) 1.11
504 |Prof. equip. 23,166] 22,705] 21,560| 2.0] 0.0] 7.4] 25,118] 25,386] 27,023) -1.1 -7.0| 1.08] 1.12] 1.25
505 |Metals 7,574] 7,686, 7,959] -1.5| 0.8] -4.8] 12,702] 12,803] 13,595} -0.8) -6.6| 1.68] 1.67] 1.71
506 |Electrical 19,691] 19,512] 17,454) 0.9] 0.4) 12.8} 27,471] 27,451] 25,663) 0.1 7.0} 1.40) 1.41] 1.47
507 |Hardware 6,902] 6,737) 6,434 2.4] -0.8) 7.3] 13,155] 13,378] 13,337) -1.7 -1.4 1.91] 1.99] 2.07
508 |Machinery 20,835} 20,478] 20,000} 1.7] -0.7| 4.2) 52,117] 52,264) 47,659] -0.3 9.4| 2.50) 2.55) 2.38
509 |Other Durable | 12,623] 12,559] 10,911) 0.5] -1.1) 15.7] 17,817) 17,900] 16,978] -0.5| 491 1.41) 1.43) 1.56
51 | Nondurable | 106,860] 105,361) 96,318] 1.4] -0.7) 10.9] 103,232) 101,636] 97,556) 1.6 5.8} 0.97] 0.96) 1.01
511 |Paper 2,357] 8,200] 7,524] 1.9] -0.6| 11.11 10,046] 9,922] 9,398] 1.2] 0.4) 6.9] 1.20] 1.21] 1.25
512 |Drugs 12,353] 12,266] 10,356| 0.7) -0.9] 19.3] 17,422) 17,407] 14,296| 0.1] 1.1] 21.9 1.41] 1.42) 1.38
513 |Apparel 7,661| 7,506| 7,042) 2.1] -3.4| 8.8] 11,521] 11,550] 12,819] -0.3) 0.3] -10.1] 1.50] 1.54] 1.82
514 |Groceries 30,247) 29,963] 28,918] 0.9] 0.9] 4.6] 18,483} 18,137) 17,216] 1.9] 2.5] 7.4 0.61] 0.61] 0.60
515 |Farm-products| 8,199] 8,419] 8,640] -2.6] -5.6| 5.1] 11,701] 10,778] 10,211] 8.6] 0.1] 14.6) 1.43) 1.28] 1.18
516 |Chemicals 4,459] 4,440] 4,539) 0.4) -0.7] -1.8| 4,738] 4,803] 4,811) -1.4) 0.7} -1.5] 1.06] 1.08) 1.06
517 |Petroleum 13,224) 12,767] 9,628] 3.6| 3.4) 38.8] 4,025] 4,144/ 4,192] -2.9] 0.7) -4.0) 0.30) 0.32) 0.44
518 |Alcohol 5,583, 5,446, 5,042) 2.5] -1.6| 10.7) 6,540] 6,533] 5,973] 0.1] 1.5] 9.5] 1.17] 1.20) 1.18
519 |Other Nondur. | 16,777] 16,354] 14,729] 2.6) -2.2| 13.9] 18,756| 18,362} 18,640) 2.1] 1.3) 0.6] 1.12] 4.12] 1.27

Sales to date

1999 1998

U.S. Total | 233,803] 225,105] 208,102] 12.4| 289,657] 292,362| 277,278] -0.9| 1.5] 4.5] 1,766,714) 1,671,152
50 | Durable 126,019] 121,470] 113,002 11.8| 191,990] 194,647| 184,761] -1.4] 1.6) 3.9} 947,352| 898,201 |
501 [Automotive 19,191] 19,256] 16,694 15.0] 27,464] 27,857| 24,805 1.9] 10.7| 149,018] 133,718
502 [Furniture 4,480) 4,169] 4,062] 10.3] 6,331] 6,346] 6,246] 27, 1.4] 32,064) 31,360
503 |Lumber 9,648| 9,554] 8,366) 15.3] 8,984 9,137] 8,613 1.7] 4.3[ 68,400] 60,488
504 |Prof. equip. 23,259] 22,274] 21,366 8.9] 25,018] 25,691] 26,942 1.4) -7.1] 174,961] 167,730
505 |Metals 7,728] 7,471] 7,911 -2.4) 12,689] 12,918] 13,581 -0.5] -6.6] 61,925] 65,430
506 |Electrical 20,617| 19,473] 17,733] 16.3] 28,213] 28,247) 26,356] 4.4) 7.0) 149,332| 138,093
507 |Hardware 7,254) 7,168) 6,524 11.2] 13,155] 13,445] 13,350 -0.3|  -1.5] 54,283) 51,364
508 |Machinery 20,856| 20,048] 19,360 7.7| 61,909] 52,891) 47,516 1.1) 9.2} 162,839] 161,914
509 |Other Durable | 12,989] 12,057] 10,987 18.2| 18,227] 18,115] 17,352 1.0| 5.0] 94,530) 88,114
51 | Nondurable | 107.784] 103,635) 95,100] 13.3| 97.667] 97,715] 92,517 1.8] 5.6] 819,362] 772,951
511 |Paper 8,833| 7,815] 7,690) 14.9| 9,885] 9,922} 9,219 2.3] 7.2] 63,846) 58,701
612 |Drugs 12,242) 11,837] 9,776 26.2| 16,917| 17,216] 13,881 3.2) 21.9] 94,241] 79,883
513 |Apparel 8,450] 7,799] 7,542] 12.0] 11,751] 11,885] 13,075 1.6| -10.1] 60,944) 57,598
514 |Groceries 30,761) 30,622] 29,2941 5.0] 18,206] 18,046] 16,941 3.2} 7.5| 236,717] 228,428
515 |Farm-products| 7,486] 7,341} 7,681 -2.5] 8,214] 7,922) 7,178 -4.8] 14.4] 64,932] 70,075
516 |Chemicals 4,615| 4,418) 4,553 1.4| 4,738) 4,832) 4,816] 2.0] -1.6| 35,400] 37,073
517 |Petroleum 13,462| 12,461] 9,414] 43.0] 3,961| 4,049] 4,142 2.8] -4.4| 90,970] 80,550
518 |Alcohol 5,879] 5,593] 5,113) 15.0] 6,533] 6,638] 5,967 1.6{ 9.5] 42,517] 39,117
519 [Other Nondur. | 16,056] 15,749] 14,037] 14.4] 17,462] 17,205] 17,298 -0.1 0,9] 129,795} 121,526

p Preliminary estimate.

r Revised.

1 For a full description of the SIC codes shown above, see the "1987 Standard Industrial Classification Manual" or the Current Business Reports
“Annual Benchmark Report for Wholesale Trade" publication.

2 Data adjusted for seasonal variations and, in the case of sales, also for trading-day differences. See Table 3 for seasonal adjustment factors used.

U.S. Census Bureau


Table 2. Coefficients of Variation and Standard Error for Sales and Inventories

Cooffiel Costficients of ) Standard
efficients ep CNTF level! Standard error for trend variation for level | error for
. (x 100) trend
sic Kind of Preliminary atio of two] Year to year | Cumulative sales |Current
" year
code| business estimates | Final estimates consecutive estimates estimates cumulative
Sales [Inv [Sales | Inv | Sales | inv | Sales | Inv | Current [Previous to
Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Median |Median|Median| Ye@r year previous year
cumulative
US. Total | 10 | 13 [| 10 [ 13 [ 04 | o2 | 07 | 10 | 14 14 07
50 | Durable 19 | 22 | 19 | 22 | o6 | 03 | 10 | 12 | 19 23 10
501 | Automotive 43 | 49 | 42 |] 51 | 11 | o8 | 19 | 22 | 42 5.0 17
502 |Furniture 65 | 77 | 66 | 77 | 22 | o8 | 36 | 26 | 62 65 14
503 |Lumber 52 | 55 | 51 | 56 | 12 | o7 | 20 | 23 | 57 61 1.8
504 |Prof. equip. 52 | 63 | 49 | 61 | 13 | o6 | 32 | 27 | 63 58 32
505 | Metals 46 | 94 | 46 | 92 | 11 | o8 | 15 | 34 52 47 14
506 |Electrical 59 | 64 | 59 | 63 | 15 | o6 | 21 | 24 | 64 6.2 19
507 |Hardware 53 | 60 | 53 | 59 | 11 | o6 | 15 | 20 | 56 58 18
508 |Machinery 64 | 63 | 64 | 63 | 17 | o6 | 28 | 24 63 67 28
509 Other Durable} 61 | 80 | 59 | 79 | 17 | o9 | 29 | 22 | 68 58 3.0
51 | Nondurable] 19 | 22 | 19 | 22 | o6 | os | 10 | 13 | 17 18 09
511 |Paper 49 | 51 | 48 | 50 | 11 | o6 | 23 | 24 | 48 47 17
512 |Drugs 63 | 49 | 64 | 48 | o9 | o7 | 23 | 16 | 65 7.0 12
513 | Apparel 52 | 77 | 51 | 76 | 20 | 11 | 30 | 26 | ae 52 2.4
514 |Groceries 30 | 51 | 30 | 54 | o7 | os | 12 | 12] 29 27 1
515 |Farm-products}| 63 | 82 | 60 | a1 | 20 | 17 | 27 | 38 | 58 54 22
516 |Chemicals 56 | 61 | 57 | 60 | 13 | o6 | 20 | 19 | 54 59 16
517 |Petroleum 62 | 160] 60 | 16] o9 | o9 | 19 | 17 | 73 67 13
518 | Alcohol 64 | 87 | 64 | 88 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 67 65 18
519 |Other Nondur.}| 63 | 66 | 64 | 66 | 18 | 11 | 40 | at 66 66 39

Note: The median measures of variability are based on the most recent 12 months of data.

Sample Design and Reliability of Data

There are two types of errors possible in an estimate
based on a sample survey: sampling and nonsampling.

Sampling errors occur because observations are made on
a sample, not on the entire population, and different
samples could have led to different estimates. Standard
errors and coefficients of variation, as calculated for this
report, are measures of sampling variation. The margin
of sampling error, as used on page 1, gives a range
about the estimate which is a 90% confidence interval.
if, for example, the trend estimate is up 1.2% and the
standard error is 0.9%, then the margin of sampling
error is £1.65 x 0.9% or +1.5%, and the 90%
confidence interval is -0.3% to +2.7%. If the interval
contains 0, it cannot be stated with certainty whether
there was an increase or decrease. For monthly level,
the coefficient of variation (CV) is given. The resulting
confidence interval is the estimated value + 1.65 x CV x
(the estimated value).

Nonsampling errors are usually attributed to many

possible sources: (1) coverage error - failure to
accurately represent all population units in the sample,

U.S. Census Bureau, the Official StatisticsTM April 6, 1999

(2) inability to obtain information about all sample cases,
(3) response errors, possibly due to definitional
difficulties or misreporting, (4) mistakes in recording or
coding the data obtained, and (5) other errors of
collection or processing, or in imputing for missing or
inconsistent data. Coverage error has an effect on the
accuracy of estimates for this survey to the extent that
the administrative records system, which forms the basis
of our survey universe frame, does not contain all legal
businesses. A major source of nonsampling error in the
published estimates is due to the need to impute data for
nonrespondents and for late and inconsistent reports.
For all kinds of businesses combined, imputed data
amount to about 26 percent of the total monthly
wholesale sales estimates and 28 percent of the total
monthly wholesale inventories estimates.

Nonsampling errors also occur in complete censuses.
Although no direct measures of these errors have been
obtained, precautionary steps were taken in all phases of
the collection, processing, and tabulation of the data to
minimize their influence.


Table 1. Estimated Monthly Sales, Inventories, and Inventories/Sales Ratios of Merchant Wholesalers: 1999 and 1998

[In millions of dollars}

Sales Inventories Inventories/Sales
Monthly Percent change Monthly Percent change ratios
sic’ Kind of Feb. | Jan. | Feb. | Feb./| Jan./|Feb. 99] Feb. | Jan. | Feb. | Feb./| Jan./|Feb. 99] Feb. | Jan. | Feb.
code business 1999 | 1999 | 1998 | Jan. | Dec. |Feb. 98} 1999 | 1999 | 1998 | Jan. | Dec. |Feb. 98) 1999] 1999 | 1998
(p) (r) (r) (p) (r) (r) (p) | (r) (r)

Adi 2

U.S. Total |217,609] 215,441] 210,822] 1.0] -0.9| 3.2|287,725|285,906|275,478] 0.6) -0.4] 4.4) 1.32| 1.33) 1.31
50 | Durable 116,583] 114,254) 111,801) 2.0) 0.3} 4.3] 188,614] 187,612) 180,836] 0.5] 0.0) 4.3) 1.62) 1.64) 1.62
501 |Automotive 20,856] 19,733| 18,159] 5.7/0.7] 14.9] 29,005] 29,139] 29,490) -0.5] -1.2|  -1.6] 1.39] 1.48] 1.62
502 {Furniture 3,445] 3,395} 3,356) 1.5] 1.8] 2.7] 5,671] 5,616] 5,501) 1.0} -0.3) 3.1) 1,65] 1.65) 1.64
503 [Lumber 8,125) 7,928] 7,391] 2.6) -0.8} 9.9] 7,588) 7,624) 7,809] -0.5) 1.8) -2.8) 0.93) 0.96] 1.06
504 |Prof. equip. 21,191} 20,986] 20,879) 1.0) -2.7) 1.5] 24,916] 24,191] 26,556] 3.0] -0.9] -6.2) 1.18] 1.15] 1.27
505 |Metals 8,463) 8,566] 8,922) -1.2] 2.3] -5.1) 14,460} 14,751] 14,182) -2.0] 0.0) 2.0} 1.71] 1.72]. 1.59
506 Electrical 17,966] 17,417| 16,896] 3.2] 0.7 6.3] 28,114] 27,718] 25,838) 1.4) -0.1 8.8) 1.56] 1.59] 1.53
507 |Hardware 6,962| 6,853] 6,679] 1.6] 2.1] 4.2} 13,575) 13,692} 13,079] -0.9] 0.7] 3.8] 1.95] 2.00] 1.96
508 |Machinery 17,985] 18,111] 18,378} -0.7) -1.8| -2.1] 48,393] 47,949] 42,370] 0.9) 0.6] 14.2} 2.69) 2.65) 2.31
509 |Other Durable | 11,590] 11,265] 11,141] 2.9] 5.7] 4.0] 16,892] 16,933] 16,011] -0.2} 1.2] 5.5) 1.46] 1.50) 1.44
51 | Nondurable | 101,026) 101,187] 99,021] -0.2| -2.2} 2.0) 99,111) 98,294] 94,642} 0.8] -1.1 4.7) 0.98} 0.97] 0.96
511 |Paper 8,005| 8,025] 7,280] -0.2] 0.5] 10.0] 9,275] 9,201] 9,109] 0.8) -1.4) 1.8) 1.16) 1.18] 1.26
512 |Drugs 12,234] 11,996] 10,767} 2.0] -1.9] 13.6] 15,968] 15,764] 14,103] 1.3] 0.7] 13.2) 1.31] 1.31) 1.31
513 |Apparel 6,941] 7,005] 7,207] -0.9 21 -3.7] 12,239] 11,692] 11,915] 4,7] -3.9 2.7] 1.76) 1.67] 1.65
514 |Groceries 28,925| 28,592| 28,138| 1.2) -1.1] 2.8] 16,410] 16,164] 16,380 0.3] 0.2) 0.87) 0.57) 0.58
515 |Farm-products | 8,500] 8,250} 9,298] 3.0] -9.6)  -8.6] 11,860] 12,049) 11,084 -3.0| 7.0] 1.40} 1.46) 1.19
516 |Chemicals 4,219) 4,459) 4,747] -5.4) -1.8] -11.1] 5,182] 6,204] 4,838) 0.7 TAL 1.23) 1.17] 1.02
517 |Petroleum 11,257] 11,586] 12,104) -2.8| 2.4) -7.0] 4,140) 4,090) 4,470] 1.21 1.4 -7.4) 0.37] 0.38] 0.37
518 {Alcohol 5,091] 5,113] 4,654, -0.4) 1.9 9.4) 5,751] 5,588] 5,135) 2.9] 2.0) 12.0] 1.13} 1.09) 1.10
519 |Other Nondur. | 15,854] 16,162] 14,826] -1.9] -7.4) 6.9] 18,286] 18,542] 17,608] -1.4) -2.6 3,9] 1.15] 1.15} 1.19
Not Adjusted Sales to date

1999 1998

U.S. Total | 199,286] 195,400] 193,114] 2.0] -11.7) 3.2] 291,522] 291,316] 279,086] 0.1) 1.3) 394,686) 390,626
50 | Durable 105,869] 101,003] 101,437] 4.8} -12.4| 4.4) 188,979] 187,121] 181,251| 1.0) 1.4) 206,872) 203,447
501 |Automotive 19,167] 17,069] 16,652] 12.3] -15.9| 15.1] 30,223] 29,693] 30,729] 1.8] 3.9 36,236] 32,982
502 [Furniture 3,097) 2,940] 3,007] 5.3] -13.6| 3.0] 5,524) 5,497) 5,363] 0.5) 0.0 6,037 6,158
503 |Lumber 6,866] 6,493) 6,238] 5.7 -8.6| 10.1] 7,588] 7,449] 7,825) 1.9) 3.2 13,359] 12,603
504 |Prof. equip. 19,305] 19,056] 19,000] 1.3] -18.4) 1.6) 24,692) 24,360) 26,317] 1.41 -0.1 38,360] 38,467
505 |Metals 7,989} 8,138) 8,413) -1.8] 2.7/  -5.0] 14,446] 14,913] 14,154) -3.1 16,127] 17,071
506 Electrical 16,385] 15,466] 15,409] 5.9] -9.6] 6.3] 28,030) 27,579} 25,760] 1.6) 31,851 30,696
507 |Hardware 6,050] 6,031] 5,791] 0.3) -4.6] 4.5] 13,589] 13,473] 13,079] 0.9) 12,081] 11,776
508 |Machinery 16,672] 16,191] 17,000] 3.0] -13.9) -1.9] 48,248] 47,326] 42,285] 1.9 32,863] 34,021
509 |Other Durable | 10,338] 9,620] 9,927] 7.5] -12.3] 4.1] 16,639] 16,831] 15,739] -1.1 19,958] 19,673
51 | Nondurable | 93,417) 94,397) 91.677) -1.0} -11.0] 1.9] 102,543] 104,195] 97,835] -1.6 187,814] 187,179
511 |Paper 7,865) 7,873) 6,872 -2.7| 10.1} 9,266] 9,367] 9,100) -1.1 16,438] 14,213
512 |Drugs 11,414] 11,947] 10,024) -7.3] 13.9] 16,223] 16,930] 14,343] 4.2 23,361] 20,849
513 |Apparel 7,191] 6,403} 7,438 13.1] -3.3] 12,312] 12,206] 11,998] 0.9 13,594) 14,217
514 |Groceries 26,437] 26,705| 25,662] -10.5] 3.0] 16,115] 16,116] 16,036] 0.0] 53,142) 52,127
515 |Farm-products | 8,143] 8,531| 8,945 -19.0]  -9.0} 14,256] 15,411] 13,356] -7.5] 16,674] 19,722
516 |Chemicals 3,936, 4,183] 4,434) -1.8] -11.2| 5,208] 5,199) 4,872] 0.2 8,119) 9,028
517 |Petroleum 10,582} 11,540) 11,402 -2.7)  -7.2| 4,094] 4,147] 4,412) -1.3) -2.0] 7.2] 22,122 23,549
518 |Alcohol 4,134) 3,768} 3,779] 9.7| -36.0] 9.4] 6,521) 5,202] 4,930] 6.1] 3.4| 12.0 7,902 7,349
619 |Other Nondur. | 14,015] 13,447] 13,121] _4.2{ -21.2] _ 6.8] 19,548] 19,617] 18,788] -0.4| 1.7) 4.0] 27,462] 26,125
p Preliminary estimate. r Revised.

1 For a full description of the SIC Codes shown above see the "1987 Standard Industrial Classification Manual" or the Current Business Reports
“Annual Benchmark Report for Wholesale Trade” publication.

2 Data adjusted for seasonal variations and, in the case of sales, also for trading-day differences. See Table 3 for seasonal adjustment factors used.

U.S. Census Bureau, the Official Statistics”

April 6, 1999


Table 2. Coefficients of Variation and Standard Error for Sales and Inventories

~ Coefficients of Standard
Coetfici
oeticients n ‘onten for level ‘Standard error for trend variation for level | error for
_— {x 100) trend
a
SIC | kind of Business | Preliminary Final estimates Consouutive Year-to-year Cumulative sales | Current year
code estimates months estimates estimates cumulative
Sales | inv | Sales | inv | Sales | inv | Sales | inv | Current | Provious to
Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Y°@" Year _ | Previous year
U.S. Total | 1.1 13 141 13 | 04 | 02 | o8 | o9 1.2 11 0.7
50 | Durable 19 | 24 | 19 | 23 | o6 | 03 11 11 1.8 2.3 1.0
501 |Automotive 43 | 48 | 42 | 48 10 | 09 | 20 | 26 43 5.1 2.3
502 |Furniture 65 77 | 64 | 7.7 20 | o9 | 29 | 26 6.1 6.6 15
503 |Lumber 54 |] 53 | 5.2 | 5.4 1.3 0.7 19 | 24 5.5 5.7 13
504 |Prof. equip. 5.8 70 | 5.5 | 7.0 14] 07 | 33 | 22 6.6 5.4 3.1
505 |Metals 50 | 99 | 49 | 9.9 Ww 0.7 16 | 3.0 5.0 48 0.9
506 |Electrical 5.6 67 | 58 | 66 14 | 06 | 22 | 24 5.6 6.3 2.2
507 |Hardware 5.5 6.1 56 | 6.2 1.2 0.6 16 | 2.1 5.7 5.5 1.3
508 |Machinery 64 | 65 | 63 | 65 1.9 06 | 26 | 20 6.1 6.8 2.0
509 |Other Durable | 64 | 8.9 | 64 | 85 17 09 | 22 | 23 6.4 6.0 1.9
51 | Nondurable 19] 22 | 19 | 22 | o6 | o4 | 10 | 13 19 7 0.7
511 |Paper 5.0 | 5.1 49 | 54 11 06 | 24 2.0 5.0 5.0 11
512 |Drugs 63 | 49 | 63 | 48 10 | o8 | 24 1.6 6.4 7.0 14
513 | Apparel 48 76 | 5.0 | 7.5 24 1 29 | 25 45 AT 7
514 |Groceries 3.0 | 5.1 3.0 | 5.1 0.7 | 06 11 1.2 3.0 3.0 0.9
515 |Farm-products | 6.6 8.4 6.6 8.3 2.4 1.7 2.8 4.2 6.3 55 2.2
516 |Chemicals 5.5 6.3 5.6 6.2 1.4 0.6 2.0 2.0 5.2 5.9 1.3
517 |Petroleum 67 | 143] 64 | 1471 089 11 17 17 7A 7.0 1.2
518 | Alcohol 63 | 87 | 64 | 87 15 1.4 13 | 163] 64 6.4 14
519 |Other Nondur. | 6.3 76 | 63 | 7.3 1.9 1.4 4.2 | 44 6.5 5.7 3.0
Note: The median measures of variability are based on the most recent 12 months of data.

Sample Design and Reliability of Data

There are two types of errors possible in an estimate
based on a sample survey: sampling and nonsampling.

Sampling errors occur because observations are made on
a sample, not on the entire population, and different
samples could have led to different estimates. Standard
errors and coefficients of variation, as calculated for this
report, are measures of sampling variation. The margin
of sampling error, as used on page 1, gives a range
about the estimate which is a 90% confidence interval.
If, for example, the trend estimate is up 1.2% and the
standard error is 0.9%, then the margin of sampling
error is +£1.65 x 0.9% or +1.5%, and the 90%
confidence interval is -0.3% to +2.7%. If the interval
contains 0, it cannot be stated with certainty whether
there was an increase or decrease. For monthly level,
the coefficient of variation (CV) is given. The resulting
confidence interval is the estimated value +1.65 x CV x
{the estimated value).

Nonsampling errors are usually attributed to many
possible sources: (1) coverage error - failure to
accurately represent all population units in the sample,

(2) inability to obtain information about all sample cases,
(3) response errors, possibly due to definitional
difficulties or misreporting, (4) mistakes in recording or
coding the data obtained, and {5) other errors of
collection or processing, or in imputing for missing or
inconsistent data. Coverage error has an effect on the
accuracy of estimates for this survey to the extent that
the administrative records system, which forms the basis
of our survey universe frame, does not contain all legal
businesses. A major source of nonsampling error in the
published estimates is due to the need to impute data for
nonrespondents and for late and inconsistent reports.
For all kinds of businesses combined, imputed data
amount to about 26 percent of the total monthly
wholesale sales estimates and 28 percent of the total
monthly wholesale inventories estimates.

Nonsampling errors also occur in complete censuses.
Although no direct measures of these errors have been
obtained, precautionary steps were taken in all phases of
the collection, processing, and tabulation of the data to
minimize their influence.


CURRENT BUSINESS REPORTS

oF OF Coy

wt
£

omar

U.S. Department of Commerce
Economics and Statistics Administration
BUREAU OF THE CENSUS

0 * Dep,
om

a

Monthly Wholesale Trade

Sales and Inventories

March 1999
BW/99-3
Issued May 1999

MONTHLY WHOLESALE TRADE: SALES AND INVENTORIES
MARCH 1999

Intention to Revise Wholesale Estimates: Monthly wholesale data will be revised based on the results of the 1997 Annual Trade
Survey, which reflects the preliminary 1997 Census of Wholesale Trade data. Unadjusted sales, inventories, and inventories/sales
ratios will be revised for January 1993 through May 1999, while corresponding adjusted data will be revised for January 1990
through May 1999. Revised data are scheduled for release the week of August 2.

Sales. March 1999 sales of merchant wholesalers, after
adjustment for seasonal variations and trading-day differences but
not for price changes, were $222.2 billion, up 1.7 percent
(+/- 0.8%) from the revised February level and were 4.6
percent (+/-1.5%) above the March 1998 level. The February
preliminary estimate was revised upward $0.8 billion or 0.4 percent.
Among durable goods, sales of professional and commercial
equipment and supplies increased 3.2 percent from last month, while
motor vehicles and automotive equipment decreased 3.2 percent.
March sales of nondurable goods increased 2.6 percent (+/- 1.1%)
from last month and were 4.6 percent (+/-1.7%) above March 1998.
Compared to last month, sales of apparel, piece goods, and notions
increased 13.5 percent and petroleum and petroleum products grew
12.0 percent.

Inventories. Total inventories of merchant wholesalers, after
adjustment for seasonal variations but not for price changes,
were $288.6 billion at the end of March, up 0.3 percent

(+/-0.4%) from the revised February level and were 4.1 percent
(+/-0.9%) above March 1998, The February preliminary estimate
was revised upward $0.04 billion. Among durable goods, inventories.
of lumber and other construction materials increased 2.2 percent
from February, while metals and minerals, except petroleum fell 4.1
percent. Among nondurable goods, inventories of groceries and
related products were up 2.1 percent from last month, while apparel,
piece goods, and notions were down 2.2 percent.

Inventories/Sales Ratio.. The March inventories/sales ratio for
merchant wholesalers, based on seasonally adjusted data, was 1.30.
The March 1998 ratio was 1.31.

Data in this report are based on a sample and, therefore, are
subject to sampling and nonsampling variability. A discussion of
the reliability of the data and general survey methodology
appears in BW/97-RV Current Business Reports.

Monthly Inventories/Sales Ratios of Merchant Wholesalers: 1990 to 1999
(Data adjusted for seasonal and trading-day differences, but not for price changes)

1.40

1.30 £

1.25 6

1.20

a\

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Monthly Wholesale Trade for April is scheduled to be released June 8, 1999 at 10:00 a.m.

Address inquiries concerning this report to Service Sector Statistics Division, Bureau of the Census, Washington, DC 20233, or
call Ronald Piencykoski, (301) 457-2779 or 457-2764. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing

Office, Washington, DC 20402.

This report is available on day of issue through the Department of Commerce's online Economic Bulletin Board (202-482-1986).
The data are also available on the internet - http://www.census.gov/svsd/www/mwts.html.


CURRENT BUSINESS REPORTS

gp OF coy,
fw
ee
U.S. Department of Commerce

Economics and Statistics Administration
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

Monthly Wholesale Trade

Sales and Inventories

July 1999
BW/99-7
Issued September 1999

MONTHLY WHOLESALE TRADE: SALES AND INVENTORIES
JULY 1999

Sales. July 1999 sales of merchant wholesalers, after
adjustment for seasonal variations and trading-day differences
but not for price changes, were $227.3 billion, down 0.2 percent
(+/- 0.4%) from the revised June level and were 7.4 percent
(+/- 1.4%) above the July 1998 level. The June preliminary
estimate was revised downward $0.3 billion or 0.1 percent.
Among durable goods, sales of furniture and home furnishings
were up 3.5 percent from last month and motor vehicles and
automotive equipment increased 2.4 percent. Among
nondurable goods, sales of petroleum and petroleum products
increased 4.9 percent from June, while farm-product raw
materials were down 4.4 percent.

Inventories. Total inventories of merchant wholesalers, after
adjustment for seasonal variations but not for price changes,
were $293.9 billion at the end of July, up 0.9 percent (+/- 0.4%)
from the revised June level and were 5.3 percent (+/- 1.2%)
above July 1998. The June preliminary estimate was revised
upward $0.4 billion or 0.1 percent. End-of-month inventories of
durable goods increased 0.8 percent (+/-0.5%) from last

month and were 5.5 percent (+/-1.6%) above July 1998.
Compared to last month, inventories of electrical goods
increased 3.4 percent and lumber and other construction
materials rose 3.0 percent. End-of-month inventories of
nondurable goods increased 1.0 percent (+/-0.7%) from June
and were 4.9 percent (+/-2.3%) above last year. Inventories of
groceries and related products grew 2.3 percent from last month
and drugs, drug proprietaries, and druggists’ sundries were up
1.2 percent.

Inventories/Sales Ratio. The July inventories/sales ratio for
merchant wholesalers, based on seasonally adjusted data, was
1.29. The July 1998 ratio was 1.32.

Data in this report are based on a sample and, therefore, are
subject to sampling and nonsampling variability. A discussion
of the reliability of the data and general survey methodology
appears in BW/98-A Current Business Reports.

Monthly Inventories/Sales Ratios of Merchant Wholesalers: 1990 to 1999
(Data adjusted for seasonal and trading-day differences, but not for price changes)

1.40

1.20

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Monthly Wholesale Trade for August is scheduled to be released October 8, 1999, at 10:00 a.m.

Address inquiries concerning this report to Service Sector Statistics Division, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233, or

call Ronald Piencykoski, 301-457-2779 or 301-457-2764. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.

This report is available on day of issue through the Department of Commerce’s online Economic Bulletin Board (202-482-1986).
The data are also available on the Internet - http://www.census.gov/svsd/www/mwts.html.


CURRENT BUSINESS REPORTS

ows

a)

U.S. Department of Commerce
Economics and Statistics Administration
BUREAU OF THE CENSUS

0 * De;

Monthly Wholesale Trade

Sales and Inventories

January 1999
BW/99-1
Issued March 1999

MONTHLY WHOLESALE TRADE: SALES AND INVENTORIES
JANUARY 1999

intention to Revise Wholesale Estimates: Monthly wholesale data will be revised based on the results of the 1997 Annual Trade Survey.
Unadjusted sales, inventories, and inventories/sales ratios will be revised for January 1993 through February 1999, while corresponding
adjusted data will be revised for January 1990 through February 1999. Revised data are scheduled for release the week of May 3.

Sales. January 1999 sales of merchant wholesalers, after
adjustment for seasonal variations and trading-day differences
but not for price changes, were $215.3 billion, down 1.0 percent
(+/- 0.7%) from the revised December level but were 2.1
percent (+/-1.3%) above the January 1998 level. The
December preliminary estimate was revised upward $0.01 billion.
Among durable goods, sales of metals and minerals, except
petroleum, increased 2.8 percent from last month, while
professional and commercial equipment and supplies fell 2.3
percent. January sales of nondurable goods decreased 2.0
percent (+/-0.9%) from last month but were 2.4 percent
(+/-1.3%) above January 1998. Compared to last month, sales
of farm-product raw materials declined 10.1 percent and drugs,
drug proprietaries and druggists’ sundries fell 2.7 percent, while
petroleum and petroleum products increased 2.4 percent.

Inventories. Total inventories of merchant wholesalers, after
adjustment for seasonal variation but not for price changes, were
$286.3 billion at the end of January, down 0.2 percent

5.1 percent (+/-1.3%) above January 1998. The December
preliminary estimate was revised downward $0.3 billion or 0.1
percent. Among durable goods, inventories of motor vehicles
and automotive equipment decreased 2.0 percent from last
month, while lumber and other construction materials increased
1.6 percent. End-of-month inventories of nondurable goods
decreased 0.9 percent (+/-0.8%) from last month but were 5.2
percent (+/-2.6%) above January 1998. Compared to last
month, inventories of paper and paper products decreased 1.6
percent, while chemicals and allied products grew 1.1 percent.

Inventories/Sales Ratio. The January inventories/sales ratio for
merchant wholesalers, based on seasonally adjusted data, was
1.33. The January 1998 ratio was 1.29.

Data in this report are based on a sample and, therefore, are
subject to sampling and nonsampling variability. A discussion of
the reliability of the data and general survey methodology

{+/-0.5%) from the revised December level but were appears in BW/97-RV Current Business Reports.
Monthly Inventories/Sales Ratios of Merchant Wholesalers: 1990 to 1999
(Data adjusted for seasonal and trading-day differences, but not for price changes)

1.40

1.35 4

1.30 + ly

1.25 +

1.20

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Monthly Wholesale Trade for February is scheduled to be released April 6, 1999 at 10:00 a.m.

Address inquiries concerning this report to Service Sector Statistics Division, Bureau of the Census, Washington, DC 20233, or
call Ronald Piencykoski, (301) 457-2779 or 457-2764. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402.

This report is available on day of issue through the Department of Commerce's online Economic Bulletin Board (202-482-1986).
The data are also available on the internet - http://www.census.gov/svsd/www/mwts.html.


U.S. Department of Commerce
U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233

Official Business
Penalty for Private Use, $300

FIRST-CLASS MAIL
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
CENSUS
PERMIT No. G-58

Table 3. Seasonal Adjustment Factors for Sales and Inventories of Merchant Wholesalers

sic Kind of Sales Inventories
code| Business [2000 1999 1998 | 2000 1999 1998
Jan. | Dec.r | Nov.r | Oct. | Sep. [Dec.r| Jan. | Dec] Nov.r| Oct. | Sep. |Decr
U.S. Total’ | 0.910 | 1.011 | 0.999 | 1.020 | 1.027 | 1.016 | 1.018 | 1.005 | 1.010 | 1.007 | 0.982 | 1.004
50 | Durable 0.884 | 0.998 | 0.993 | 1.033 | 1.044 | 1.003 | 0.997 | 0.984 | 0.991 | 0.996 | 0.996 | 0.984
501 |Automotive | 0.869 | 1.009 | 0.992 | 1.006 | 0.973 | 1.025 | 1.016 | 0.972 | 1.002 | 1.000 | 0.987 | 0.971
502 [Furniture 0.875 | 1.010 | 1.062 | 1.057 | 1.055 | 1.015 | 0.982 | 0.982 | 0.990 | 1.074 | 1.035 | 0.981
503 |Lumber 0.813 | 0.884 | 0.973 | 1.052 | 1.064 | 0.887 | 0.973 | 0.954 | 0.964 | 0.965 | 0.999 | 0.957
504 |Prof. equip. | 0.904 | 1.091 | 0.959 | 1.011 | 1.082 | 1.081 | 1.006 | 0.992 | 7.011 | 1.008 | 0.987 | 0.994
505 |Metals 0.948 | 0.947 | 0.969 | 1.019 } 1.015 | 0.953 | 1.010 | 1.014 | 0.980 | 0.980 | 0.989 | 1.014
506 |Electrical 0.883 | 0.988 | 1.003 | 1.068 | 1.084 | 0.990 | 0.996 | 0.978 | 0.986 | 0.984 | 1.006 | 0.978
507 |Hardware 0.873 | 0.930 | 1.005 | 1.059 | 1.045 | 0.935 | 0.985 | 0.982 | 0.981 | 0.982 | 0.993 | 0.982
508 |Machinery 0.899 | 1.010 | 0.974 | 0.989 | 0.986 | 1.018 | 0.986 | 0.991 | 0.985 | 0.992 | 0.983 | 0.991
509 |Other Durable | 0.857 | 1.013 | 1.069 | 1.104 | 1.104 | 1.024 } 0.993 | 0.983 | 0.994 | 1.038 | 1.032 | 0.981
51 | Nondurable | 0.939 | 1.029 | 1.006 | 1.009 | 1.006 | 1.033 } 1.055 | 1.042 | 1.046 | 1.028 | 0.959 | 1.041
511 |Paper 0.976 | 1.006 | 0.988 | 1.027 | 1.052 | 1.011 | 1.016 | 1.022 | 1.026 | 1.000 | 0.983 | 1.023
512 |Drugs 0.999 | 1.059 | 1.008 | 0.997 | 1.014 | 1.070 | 1.070 | 1.015 | 0.999 | 1.018 | 0.981 | 1.015
513 |Apparel 0.914 | 0.801 | 0.944 | 1.080 | 1.135 | 0.823 | 1.048 | 1.016 | 0.976 | 0.992 | 1.003 | 1.015
514 |Groceries 0.946 | 1.020 | 1.006 | 0.998 | 0.997 | 1.029 | 0.995 | 1.002 | 1.039 | 1.047 | 1.002 | 1.003
515 |Farm-products | 1.041 | 1.152 | 1.120 | 1.069 | 0.979 | 1.169 | 1.279 | 1.253 | 1.278 | 1.196 | 0.726 | 1.251
516 |Chemicals 0.938 | 0.944 | 0.975 | 1.003 | 0.992 | 0.950 | 1.005 | 1.011 | 1.000 | 0.981 | 0.982 | 1.010
517 |Petroleum 0.960 | 1.070 | 1.027 | 1.011 | 0.983 | 1.051 | 1.008 | 1.015 | 1.034 | 1.040 | 1.013 | 1.017
518 |Alcohol 0.731 | 1.176 | 1.060 | 1.002 | 1.027 | 1.179 } 0.924 | 0.934 | 1.062 | 1.083 | 1.045 | 0.932
519 {Other Nondur. | 0.854 | 0.996 | 0.936 | 0.942 | 0.976 | 0.994 | 1.065 | 1.056 | 1.006 | 0.964 | 0.937 | 1.050

r Revised.

1 Adjusted sales and inventories data shown in Table 1 are obtained by dividing the unadjusted data by the
adjustment factors shown above for the corresponding group. Adjusted data for the totals are obtained by adding
the durable and nondurable goods. Seasonal factors shown for the totals will provide an approximation of the
adjusted estimates, but may show small differences from the published data.

Note: The seasonal factors shown have been computed based on monthly estimates through the current month
preliminary estimates.

U.S. Census Bureau, the Official Statistics”

February 9, 2000


U.S. Department of Commerce

BUREAU OF THE CENSUS

Washington, D.C. 20233

Official Business
Penalty for Private Use, $300

FIRST-CLASS MAIL

POSTAGE & FEES PAID

CENSUS
PERMIT No. G-58

Table 3. Seasonal Adjustment Factors for Sales and Inventories of Merchant Wholesalers

sic

Kind of

Sales Inventories

code} Business 1999 7998 | 1998 1999 7998 | 1998
Apr. | Mars | Febs | Jan. | Dec. | Mars] Apr. | Mars] Febsr [ Jan. | Dec. | Marr

US Total) 1.008 |1.077 | OSTT | 0908 | TOTS | 1.044 [7.007 | 1.008 | T.018 [1.019 [1.004 | “1.005

50 Durable 1.004 | 1.081 | 0.904 | 0.883 | 1.006 | 1.053 | 1.010 | 1.002 | 1.003 | 0.997 | 0.984 | 1.002
501 | Automotive 1.044 | 1.129 | 0.921 | 0.865 | 1.036 | 1.099 | 1.017 | 1.014 | 1.042 | 1.019 | 0.969 | 1.012
502 |Furniture 1.012 | 1.047 | 0.892 | 0.866 | 1.020 | 1.041 | 0.976 | 0.979 | 0.976 | 0.979 | 0.976 | 0.981
503 |Lumber 1.016 | 1.020 | 0.842 | 0.819 | 0.889 | 0.985 | 1.026 | 1.025 | 0.999 | 0.977 | 0.964 | 1.027
504 |Prof. equip. 0.972 | 1.098 | 0.907 | 0.908 | 1.083 | 1.062 | 1.012 | 0.999 | 0.991 | 1.007 | 0.999 | 0.999
505 |Metals 1.032 | 1.103 | 0.947 | 0.950 | 0.946 | 1.077 | 1.009 | 1.013 | 1.005 | 1.011 | 1.010 | 1.013
506 Electrical 0.963 | 1.075 | 0.909 | 0.888 | 0.990 | 1.054 | 1.000 | 0.984 | 0.996 | 0.995 | 0.977 | 0.983
507 |Hardware 0.986 | 0.987 | 0.867 | 0.880 | 0.942 | 0.969 ] 1.019 | 1.008 | 1.002 | 0.984 | 0.983 | 1.009
508 |Machinery 1.057 | 1.115 | 0.920 | 0.894 | 1.020 | 1.087 | 1.019 | 1.008 | 0.997 | 0.987 | 0.990 ] 1.008
509 |Other Durable | 0.958 | 1.047 | 0.893 | 0.854 | 1.029 | 1.035 | 0.988 } 0.966 | 0.984 | 0.994 | 0.977 | 0.965
51 Nondurable} 1.014 | 1.070 | 0.922 | 0.936 | 1.026 | 1.034 | 1.010 | 1.020 | 1.034 | 1.057 | 1.039 | 1.020
511 |Paper 0.993 | 1.069 | 0.946 | 0.981 | 1.013 | 1.043 | 1.009 | 1.008 | 0.997 | 1.018 | 1.026 | 1.007
512 |Drugs 1.008 | 1.074 | 0.931 | 0.996 | 1.054 | 1.045 | 1.004 | 1.010 | 1.016 } 1.074 | 1.020 | 1.007
513 |Apparel 0.958 | 1.136 | 1.034 | 0.914 | 0.825 | 1.113 | 0.969 | 0.958 | 1.008 | 1.044 | 1.007 | 0.959
514 |Groceries 0.983 | 1.056 | 0.910 | 0.934 | 1.032] 1.022 | 0.986 | 0.987 | 0.980 | 0.997 | 1.006 | 0.986
515 |Farm-products} 0.974 | 1.056 | 0.955 | 1.034 | 1.154 | 1.034 | 0.994 | 1.104 | 1.201 | 1.279 | 1.235 | 1.106
516 |Chemicals 1.029 | 1.059 | 0.934 | 0.938 | 0.938 | 1.028 | 1.006 | 1.003 | 1.007 | 0.999 | 0.999 | 1.005
517 |Petroleum 1.019 | 1.035 | 0.938 | 0.996 } 1.049 | 0.998 | 0.993 | 0.971 | 0.984 | 1.014 | 1.049 | 0.971
518 |Alcohol 1,001 | 1.011 | 0.811 | 0.737 | 1.173 | 0.965 | 0.998 | 1.000 | 0.956 | 0.931 } 0.918 | 0.997
519 |Other Nondur.| 1.164 | 1.083 | 0.889 | 0.832 | 0.977 | 1.059 | 1.072 | 1.072 | 1.072 | 1.058 | 1.013 | 1.071

r Revised

1 Adjusted sales and inventories data shown in table 1 are obtained by dividing the unadjusted data by the
adjustment factors shown above for the corresponding group. Adjusted data for the totals are obtained by adding

the durable and nondurable goods.

Note: The seasonal factors shown have been computed based on monthly estimates through the current month

preliminary estimates.

U.S. Census Bureau, the Official StatisticsTM

Seasonal factors shown for the totals will provide an approximation of the
adjusted estimates, but may show small differences from the published data.

May 7, 1999


Table 2. Coefficients of Variation and Standard Error for Sales and Inventories

Coefficients of Standard
Coefficients of ‘oo On Forlevel) Standard error fortrend | variation for level| enerine
7 (x 100) trend
- Ratio of two Current
sIC Kind of Preliminary Final estimates | consecutive Yearto year | Cumulative sales year
code business estimates months estimates estimates "
cumulative
Sales | Inv | Sales | Inv | Sales | Inv | Sales | Inv | Current [Previous to
Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Median |Median| Year year previous
U.S. Total 11 1.3 1.0 1.3 04 0.2 08 1.0 11 1.1 08
50 Durable 19 23 1.9 23 0.6 03 11 1.2 18 23 1.0
501 | Automotive 43 48 4.2 5.0 11 08 1.9 2.2 42 49 24
502 | Furniture 65 77 6.5 77 2.0 08 3.4 26 6.3 66 1.3
503 |Lumber 5.2 5.5 5.1 5.5 1.2 07 1.8 23 5.6 5.9 1.3
504 |Prof. equip. 5.4 67 5.1 63 13 07 3.2 26 64 5.5 34
505 }Metals 48 9.7 46 9.4 11 0.8 1.5 3.1 5.1 46 1.2
506 |Electrical 5.9 6.6 5.9 65 14 0.6 24 24 6.0 6.2 2.0
507 |Hardware 5.4 6.0 5.4 6.0 1.1 0.6 1.6 2.0 5.8 5.4 1.6
508 |Machinery 64 6.4 6.3 6.3 1.7 06 28 21 6.3 7.0 25
509 | Other Durable 6.3 8.1 6.1 8.0 1.7 0.9 29 2.2 6.6 5.8 28
51 | Nondurable] 1.9 22 19 22 0.6 0.5 1.0 13 18 18 0.9
511 |Paper 49 51 4g 5.0 11 0.6 2.2 23 48 5.2 1.3
512 |Drugs 63 49 6.3 49 09 08 23 1.6 6.4 7A 15
513 |Apparel 5.2 77 5.0 7.6 241 11 29 26 49 5.0 21
514 |Groceries 3.0 5.1 3.0 5.1 08 0.6 13 1.2 29 28 1.2
515 |Farm-products| 6.5 8.3 6.3 8.2 2.2 1.7 27 3.7 6.0 5.5 2.2
516 |Chemicals 5.5 6.1 5.7 6.1 1.3 0.6 2.0 1.9 5.0 5.9 1.6
517 |Petroleum 6.3 15.5 6.1 15.6 0.9 0.9 1.9 1.7 7.3 67 1.2
518 | Alcohol 6.4 8.7 6.4 88 1.5 14 14 16.9 6.3 6.3 1.3
519 | Other Nondur. 6.3 6.9 6.4 6.6 2.0 14 41 41 6.6 66 3.5
Note: The median measures of variability are based on the most recent 12 months of data.

Sample Design and Reliability of Data

There are two types of errors possible in an estimate
based on a sample survey: sampling and nonsampling.

Sampling errors occur because observations are made on
a sample, not on the entire population, and different
samples could have led to different estimates. Standard
errors and coefficients of variation, as calculated for this
report, are measures of sampling variation. The margin
of sampling error, as used on page 1, gives a range
about the estimate which is a 90% confidence interval.
lf, for example, the trend estimate is up 1.2% and the
standard error is 0.9%, then the margin of sampling
error is £1.65 x 0.9% or +1.5%, and the 90%
confidence interval is -0.3% to +2.7%. If the interval
contains 0, it cannot be stated with certainty whether
there was an increase or decrease. For monthly level,
the coefficient of variation (CV) is given. The resulting
confidence interval is the estimated value +1.65 x CV x
(the estimated value).

Nonsampling errors are usually attributed to many
possible sources: (1) coverage error - failure to
accurately represent all population units in the sample,

U.S. Census Bureau, the Official StatisticsTM May 7, 1999,

(2) inability to obtain information about all sample cases,
(3) response errors, possibly due to definitional
difficulties or misreporting, (4) mistakes in recording or
coding the data obtained, and (5) other errors of
collection or processing, or in imputing for missing or
inconsistent data. Coverage error has an effect on the
accuracy of estimates for this survey to the extent that
the administrative records system, which forms the basis
of our survey universe frame, does not contain all legal
businesses. A major source of nonsampling error in the
published estimates is due to the need to impute data for
nonrespondents and for late and inconsistent reports.
For all kinds of businesses combined, imputed data
amount to about 26 percent of the total monthly
wholesale sales estimates and 28 percent of the total
monthly wholesale inventories estimates.

Nonsampling errors also occur in complete censuses.
Although no direct measures of these errors have been
obtained, precautionary steps were taken in all phases of
the collection, processing, and tabulation of the data to
minimize their influence.


U.S. Department of Commerce FIRST-CLASS MAIL
U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC 20233 CENSUS

Official Business

POSTAGE & FEES PAID

PERMIT No. G-58

Penalty for Private Use, $300

Table 3. Seasonal Adjustment Factors for Sales and Inventories of Merchant Wholesalers

sic Kind of
code Business

Sales Inventories

1999 1998 1999 1998

Dec. | Nov.r | Oct.r | Sep. | Aug. | Nov.r} Dec. | Nov.r | Oct.r | Sep. [ Aug. | Nov.r

U.S. Total’
50 Durable

501 {Automotive
502 [Furniture

503 |Lumber

504 |Prof. equip.
505 |Metals

506 |Electrical

507 |Hardware
508 |Machinery
509 |Other Durable
51 Nondurable
511 |Paper

512 |Drugs

513 |Apparel

514 |Groceries

515 |Farm-products
516 |Chemicals
517 |Petroleum
518 {Alcohol

519 |Other Nondur..

1.011 | 1.000 | 1.020 | 1.027 | 1.015 | 0.968 | 1.004 | 1.010 | 1.007 | 0.982 | 0.981 | 1.010
0.999 | 0.993 | 1.033 | 1.044 | 1.024 | 0.963 | 0.984 | 0.991 | 0.996 | 0.996 | 1.001 | 0.991
1,012 | 0.992 | 1.006 | 0.973 | 1.001 | 0.954 | 0.962 | 1.003 | 1.000 | 0.987 | 0.973 | 1.005
1.011 | 1.064 | 1.057 | 1.055 | 1.038 | 1.042 | 0.978 | 0.994 | 1.014 | 1.035 | 1.038 | 0.995
0.879 | 0.976 | 1.052 | 1.064 | 1.114 | 0.940 | 0.960 | 0.963 | 0.965 | 0.999 | 1.011 | 0.964
1.086 | 0.962 | 1.011 | 1.082 | 1.004 | 0.937 | 0.997 | 1.010 | 1.008 | 0.987 | 0.996 | 1.010
0.937 | 0.966 | 1.019 | 1.015 | 1.022 | 0.934 | 1.014 | 0.978 | 0.980 | 0.989 | 0.998 | 0.977
0,980 | 1.006 | 1.068 } 1.084 | 1.045 | 0.983 | 0.976 | 0.986 | 0.984 | 1.006 | 1.025 | 0.987
0.931 | 1.006 | 1.059 | 1.045 | 1.054 | 0,975 | 0.982 | 0.982 | 0.982 | 0.993 | 1.000 | 0.983
1.010 | 0,976 | 0.989 | 0.986 | 1.001 | 0.936 | 0.991 | 0.985 | 0.992 | 0.983 | 0.997 | 0.985
1,014 | 1.069 | 1.104 | 1.104 | 1.027 | 1.047 | 0.977 | 0.996 | 1.038 | 1.032 | 1.024 | 0.996
1,024 | 1.008 | 1.009 | 1.006 | 1.005 | 0.975 | 1.038 | 1.046 | 1.028 | 0.959 | 0.944 | 1.044
1.011 | 0.987 | 1.027 | 1.052 | 1.058 | 0.957 } 1.026 | 1.025 | 1.000 | 0.983 | 0.984 | 1.024
1.052 | 1.019 | 0.997 | 1.014 | 0.991 | 0.977 | 1.017 | 0.999 | 1.018 | 0.981 | 0.974 | 0.999
0.802 | 0.948 | 1.080 | 1.135 | 1.103 | 0.917 | 1.011 | 0.977 | 0.992 | 1.003 | 1.019 | 0.975
1.026 | 1.004 | 0.998 | 0.997 | 1.015 | 0.984 | 1.002 | 1.040 | 1.047 | 1.002 | 0.985 | 1.039
1.158 | 1.115 | 1.069 | 0.979 | 0.916 | 1.066 | 1.249 | 1.272 | 1.196 | 0.726 | 0.698 | 1.268
0.936 | 0.983 | 1.003 | 0.992 | 1.035 | 0.943 | 1.005 | 1.002 | 0.981 | 0.982 | 0.998 | 1.000
1,071 | 1.031 | 1.011 | 0.983 | 1.019 | 1.002 | 1.049 | 1.031 | 1.040 | 1.013 | 0.987 | 1.029
1.176 | 1.058 } 1.002 | 1.027 | 1.049 | 1.012 | 0.910 | 1.068 | 1.083 | 1.045 | 1.001 | 1.069
0.979 | 0.942 | 0.942 | 0.976 | 0.959 | 0.926 | 0.995 | 1.010 | 0.964 | 0.937 | 0.928 | 1.008

r Revised.

1 Adjusted sales and inventories data shown in Table 1 are obtained by dividing the unadjusted data by the
adjustment factors shown above for the corresponding group. Adjusted data for the totals are obtained by adding
the durable and nondurable goods. Seasonal factors shown for the totals will provide an approximation of the
adjusted estimates, but may show small differences from the published data.

Note: The seasonal factors shown have been computed based on monthly estimates through the current month
preliminary estimates.

U.S. Census Bureau


U.S. Department of Commerce FIRST-CLASS MAIL

U.S. Census Bureau

Washington, DC 20233 CENSUS

Official Business
Penalty for Private Use, $300

POSTAGE & FEES PAID

PERMIT No. G-58

Table 3. Seasonal Adjustment Factors for Sales and Inventories of Merchant Wholesalers

sic Kind of Sales . Inventories

code| Business 1999 1998 1999 1998
Sep. | Aug.r | Jul.r | Jun. | May | Aug.r} Sep. | Aug.r | Jul.r | Jun. | May | Aug.r

US. Total’ | 1.025 | 1.013 | 0.990 | 1.043 | 0.991 | 0.992 | 0.981 | 0.981 | 0.993 | 0.985 | 0.994 | 0.981

50 Durable 1.045 | 1.023 | 0.995 | 1.058 | 0.976 | 0.996 | 0.996 | 1.000 | 1.012 | 1.001 | 1.009 | 1.001
501 |Automotive 0.974 | 1.000 | 1.006 } 1.064 | 1.002 | 0.969 | 0.982 | 0.976 | 0.992 | 0.988 | 1.006 | 0.975
502 |Furniture 1.066 | 1.038 | 0.975 | 1.008 | 0.969 | 1.002 | 1.039 } 1.037 | 1.026 | 1.016 | 0.996 | 1.037
503 |Lumber 1.063 | 1.115 | 1.081 | 1.123 | 1.018 | 1.086 } 0.999 | 1.013 | 1.027 | 1.033 | 1.028 | 1.010
504 |Prof. equip. 1.079 | 1.004 | 0.981 | 1.064 | 0.935 | 0.991 } 0.987 | 0.996 | 1.012 | 0.994 | 0.996 | 0.997
505 |Metals 1.020 | 1.020 | 0.972 | 1.054 | 0.984 | 0.994 | 0.986 | 0.999 | 1.009 | 1.003 | 1.004 | 0.999
506 {Electrical 1.087 | 1.047 | 0.998 | 1.035 | 0.950 | 1.016 | 1.004 | 1.027 | 1.029 | 1.020 } 1.006 | 1.027
507 |Hardware 14.061 | 1.051 | 1.064 | 1.110 | 0.985 | 1.014 | 0.995 } 1.000 | 1.005-| 1.014 | 1.024 | 1.001
508 |Machinery 0.983 | 1.001 | 0.979 | 1.061 | 1.014 | 0.968 | 0.983 | 0.996 | 1.012 | 1.005 | 1.018 | 0.997
509 |Other Durable | 1.093 | 1.029 } 0.960 | 0.998 | 0.949 | 1.007 | 1.030 | 1.023 | 1.012 | 0.992 | 0.993 | 1.022
51 Nondurable | 1.002 | 1.006 | 0.984 | 1.028 | 1.009 | 0.989 } 0.953 | 0.945 | 0.958 | 0.956 | 0.965 | 0.944
511 |Paper 1.046 | 1.057 | 0.953 | 1.004 | 0.935 | 1.022 | 0.982 | 0.984 | 1.000 | 0.981 | 0.979 | 0.981
512 |Drugs 1.017 | 0.991 | 0.965 | 0.998 | 0.944 | 0.944 | 0.987 | 0.971 | 0.989 | 0.969 | 0.955 | 0.971
513 |Apparel 1.133 | 1.103 | 1.039 ] 1.002 | 0.833 | 1.071 } 1.007 | 1.020 | 1.029 | 1.016 | 0.975 | 1.020
514 |Groceries 0.992 | 1.017 | 1.022 | 1.025 | 1.032 | 1.013 | 1.007 | 0.985 | 0.995 | 0.988 | 0.994 | 0.984
515 |Farm-products | 0.977 | 0.913 | 0.872 | 0.953 | 0.954 | 0.889 | 0.718 | 0.702 | 0.735 | 0.773 | 0.830 | 0.703
516 |Chemicals 0.992 | 1.035 } 0.995 } 1.092 | 1.019 | 1.003 | 0.980 | 1.000 | 1.006 | 0.993 | 1.014 | 1.001
517 |Petroleum 0.974 | 1.018 | 0.976 | 0.985 | 0.991 | 0.988 | 1.010 | 0.984 | 0.977 | 0.957 | 1.000 | 0.988
518 |Alcohol 1.017 | 1.053 | 1.027 } 1.110 | 1.020 | 1.014 | 1.051 | 0.999 | 1.016 | 1.015 | 0.967 | 0.999
519 |Other Nondur. | 0.973 | 0.957 | 0.963 | 1.097 | 1.178 | 0.953 } 0.929 | 0.931 | 0.937 | 0.950 | 0.995 | 0.928

r Revised.

1 Adjusted sales and inventories data shown in Table 1 are obtained by dividing the unadjusted data by the
adjustment factors shown above for the corresponding group. Adjusted data for the totals are obtained by adding
the durable and nondurable goods. Seasonal factors shown for the totals will provide an approximation of the
adjusted estimates, but may show small differences from the published data.

Note: The seasonal factors shown have been computed based on monthly estimates through the current month
preliminary estimates.

US. Census Bureau.


Table 2. Coefficients of Variation and Standard Error for Sales and Inventories

5 Coefficients of
Coefficients of variation for level Standard error for trend Variation for lover | St#ndard error
(x 100) for trend
Ratio of two {x 199)
SIC | Kind of Business | Preliminary Final estimates Consecutive Year-to-year Cumulative sates | Current year
code estimates months estimates estimates cumulative
Sales Inv. Sales Inv. Sales Inv. Sales Inv. Current | Previous to
i
Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Median year year eeemmulate
U.S. Total | 1.2 15 1.2 1.5 0.4 0.2 0.8 0.7 1.3 41 0.7
50 | Durable 18 2.5 1.8 2.5 0.6 0.3 11 0.9 18 2.2 0.9
501 |Automotive 45 48 44 48 1.0 08 2.3 3.4 4.5 5.1 2.0
502 |Furniture 6.4 7.9 6.4 7.9 2.2 1.0 27 24 6.0 65 V7
503 |Lumber 5.6 5.3 5.4 5.3 1.3 0.8 21 27 5.7 5.7 1.4
504 |Prof. equip. 6.5 7.0 6.4 7.0 1.3 0.6 3.3 24 66 5.5 29
505 |Metals 5.1 10.4 | 5.0 | 101 11 0.7 1.6 2.8 49 49 0.9
506 |Electrical 5.5 7.2 5.7 7.2 1.4 0.6 2.3 2.3 5.6 6.4 1.9
507 {Hardware 5.5 6.6 5.5 6.6 1.2 0.6 1.6 24 5.7 5.6 1.0
508 |Machinery 6.1 6.7 6.2 6.6 24 0.5 2.4 W7 5.9 6.7 19
509 |Other Durable | 6.3 9.5 64 9.4 1.4 0.9 24 2.6 6.3 6.1 1.6
51 Nondurable 2.0 24 2.0 2.3 0.6 0.4 0.9 14 2.0 1.8 0.6
511 |Paper 5.0 5.1 5.0 5.1 1.0 0.6 1.8 1.6 5.7 5.2 1.0
512 |Drugs 6.3 4.8 6.3 AT 1.0 0.6 2.2 1.6 6.2 6.7 1.2
513 |Apparel 5.5 7.2 5.2 74 24 11 3.2 2.4 48 45 1.8
514 |Groceries 3.0 4.9 3.0 49 0.6 0.6 Wi 1.4 3.0 3.1 0.8
515 |Farm-products | 6.8 8.6 6.8 8.6 2.3 1.5 28 44 6.6 5.7 2.2
516 |Chemicals 5.4 6.3 5.7 6.3 1.4 0.8 18 23 5.3 5.7 09
517 |Petroleum 6.9 13.8 6.9 13.8 1.0 1.3 7 1.9 6.8 6.8 1.3
518 |Alcohol 6.2 8.6 6.2 8.6 15 13 17 2.2 61 6.3 1.4
519 |Other Nondur. | _6.5 8.0 6.5 77 1.9 1.2 41 4.2 6.9 5.5 27
Note: The median measures of variability are based on the most recent 12 months of data.

Sample Design and Reliability of Data

There are two types of errors possible in an estimate
based on a sample survey: sampling and nonsampling.

Sampling errors occur because observations are made on
a sample, not on the entire population, and different
samples could have led to different estimates. Standard
errors and coefficients of variation, as calculated for tl
report, are measures of sampling variation. The margin
of sampling error, as used on page 1, gives a range
about the estimate which is a 90% confidence interval.
If, for example, the trend estimate is up 1.2% and the
standard error is 0.9%, then the margin of sampling
error is +1.65 x 0.9% or +1.5%, and the 90%
confidence interval is -0.3% to +2.7%. If the interval
contains 0, it cannot be stated with certainty whether
there was an increase or decrease. For monthly level,
the coefficient of variation (CV) is given. The resulting
confidence interval is the estimated value +1.65 x CV x
(the estimated value).

Nonsampling errors are usually attributed to many
possible sources: (1) coverage error failure to
accurately represent all population units in the sample,

U.S. Census Bureau

{2) inability to obtain information about all sample cases,
{3) response errors, possibly due to definitional
difficulties or misreporting, (4) mistakes in recording or
coding the data obtained, and (5) other errors of
collection or processing, or in imputing for missing or
inconsistent data. Coverage error has an effect on the
accuracy of estimates for this survey to the extent that
the administrative records system, which forms the basis
of our survey universe frame, does not contain all legal
businesses. A major source of nonsampling error in the
published estimates is due to the need to impute data for
nonrespondents and for late and inconsistent reports.
For all kinds of businesses combined, imputed data
amount to about 31 percent of the total monthly
wholesale sales estimates and 32 percent of the total
monthly wholesale inventories estimates.

Nonsampling errors also occur in complete censuses.
Although no direct measures of these errors have been
obtained, precautionary steps were taken in all phases of
the collection, processing, and tabulation of the data to
minimize their influence.


U.S. Department of Commerce
BUREAU OF THE CENSUS
Washington, D.C. 20233

Official Business
Penalty for Private Use, $300

FIRST-CLASS MAIL

POSTAGE & FEES PAID

CENSUS

PERMIT No. G-58

Table 3. Seasonal Adjustment Factors for Sales and Inventories of Merchant Wholesalers

sic Kind of Sales Inventories

code Business 1999 1998 1998 1999 1998 1998
Mar. | Feb.r | Jan.r | Dec. | Nov. | Feb.r | Mar. | Feb.r | Jan.r | Dec. | Nov. | Feb.r

U.S. Total’ | 1.066 | 0.917 | 0.908 | 1.016 | 0.968 | 0.916 | 1.008 [ 1.015 | 1.019 | 1.004 | 1.008 | 1.015

50 Durable 1.077 | 0.907 | 0.883 | 1.006 | 0.967 | 0.906 | 1.001 | 1.003 | 0.997 | 0.984 | 0.990 | 1.003
501 |Automotive 1,129 | 0.919 | 0.865 | 1.036 | 0.957 | 0.917 | 1.009 | 1.042 | 1.019 | 0.969 | 1.005 | 1.042
502 {Furniture 1.045 | 0.899 | 0.866 | 1.020 | 1,046 | 0.896 | 0.992 | 0.974 | 0.979 | 0.976 | 0.993 | 0.975
503 |Lumber 1.016 | 0.845 | 0.819 | 0.889 } 0.931 | 0.844 | 1.026 | 1.000 | 0.977 | 0.964 | 0.969 | 1.002
504 |Prof. equip. 1.086 | 0.911 | 0,908 | 1.083 | 0.935 | 0.910 | 1.000 | 0.991 | 1.007 | 0.999 | 1.009 | 0.991
505 |Metals 1.105 | 0.944 | 0.950 | 0.946 | 0.938 | 0.943 | 1.013 | 0.999 | 1.011 | 1.010 | 0.971 | 0.998
506 {Electrical 1,066 | 0.912 | 0.888 | 0.990 | 0.985 | 0.912 | 0.981 | 0.997 | 0.995 | 0.977 | 0.984 | 0.997
507 |Hardware 0.980 | 0.869 | 0.880 | 0.942 | 0.977 | 0.867 | 1.011 | 1.001 | 0.984 | 0.983 | 0.982 | 1.000
508 |Machinery 1.108 | 0.927 | 0.894 ] 1.020 | 0.938 | 0.925 | 1.008 | 0.997 | 0.987 | 0.990 | 0.986 | 0.998
509 |Other Durable | 1.039 | 0.892 | 0.854 | 1.029 | 1.068 | 0.891 | 0.959 | 0:985 | 0.994 } 0.977 | 0.992 | 0.983
51 Nondurable | 1.061 | 0.927 | 0.936 | 1.026 | 0.970 | 0.926 | 1.018 | 1.036 | 1.057 | 1.039 | 1.040 | 1.035
511 |Paper 1.071 | 0.945 | 0.981 | 1.013 | 0.951 | 0.944 } 1.004 | 0.999 | 1.018 | 1.026 | 1.021 | 0.999
512 |Drugs 1.057 | 0.933 | 0.996 | 1.054 | 0.980 | 0.931 | 1.003 | 1.016 | 1.074 | 1.020 | 1.003 | 1.017
513 |Apparel 1,122 | 1,036 | 0.914 | 0.826 | 0.921 | 1.032 } 0.962 | 1.006 | 1.044 | 1.007 | 0.968 | 1.007
514 |Groceries 1.041 | 0.914 | 0.934 | 1.032 | 0.981 | 0.912 | 0.981 | 0.982 | 0.997 | 1.006 | 1.036 | 0.979
515 |Farm-products | 1.070 | 0.958 | 1,034 | 1.154 | 1.044 | 0.962 | 1.102 | 1.202 | 1.279 | 1.235 | 1.243 | 1.205
516 |Chemicals 1.060 | 0.933 | 0.938 | 0.938 | 0.938 | 0.934 } 1.020 | 1.005 | 0.999 | 0.999 | 0.995 | 1.007
517 |Petroleum 1.026 | 0,940 | 0.996 | 1.049 | 1.004 | 0.942 | 0.968 | 0.989 | 1.014 | 1.049 | 1.028 | 0.987
518 |Alcohol 0.996 | 0.812 | 0.737 | 1.173 | 1.014 | 0.812 | 0.978 | 0.960 | 0.931 | 0.918 | 1.078 | 0.960
519 |Other Nondur. | 1.082 | 0.884 | 0.832 | 0.977 | 0.902 | 0.885 | 1.071 | 1.069 | 1.058 | 1.013 | 0.997 | 1.067

r Revised

1 Adjusted sales and inventories data shown in table 1 are obtained by dividing the unadjusted data by the
adjustment factors shown above for the corresponding group. Adjusted data for the totals are obtained by adding

the durable and nondurable goods.

Note: The seasonal factors shown have been computed based on monthly estimates through the current month

preliminary estimates.

U.S. Census Bureau, the Official StatisticsTM

Seasonal factors shown for the totals will provide an approximation of the
adjusted estimates, but may show small differences from the published data.

April 6, 1999


Table 1. Estimated Monthly Sales, Inventories, and Inventories/Sales Ratios of Merchant Wholesalers: 1999 and 1998

Un millions of dollars}
Sales Inventories Inventories/sales
Monthly Percent change Monthly Percent change ratios
sic* Kind of Jun. | May | Jun. | Jun./] May/Jun. 99) Jun. | May | Jun. | Jun./} May/|Jun. 99] Jun. | May | Jun.
code | Business 1999 | 1999 | 1998 | May | Apr. jJun. 98] 1999 | 1999 | 1998 | May | Apr. |Jun. 98] 1999] 1999] 1998
{p) (r) {r) {p) (r) (r) {p)_ | fr) (r)
Adjusted”
U.S. Total |228,123]223,909] 210,660} 1.9] 1.8] — 8.3|290,975|290,216|278,881] 0.3] 0.2) 4.3, 1.28] 1.30] 1.32
50 | Durable 121,598] 120,055] 113,739] 1.3] 1.6} 6.9 190,718] 189,689] 182,044] 0.5] 0.6} 4.8] 1.57] 1.58] 1.60
501 |Automotive 18,825] 18,519] 16,530] 1.7] -0.2/ 13.9} 27,629] 27,590] 25,349] 0.1] 1.41 9.0] 1.47] 1.49] 1.53
602 |Furniture 4,132) 4,063] 4,058] 1.7] 1.5] 1.8] 6,053] 5,958} 5,956) 1.6) 0.6] 1.6] 1.46] 1.47] 1.47
503 |Lumber 8,780] 8,638} 7,519] 1.6) 2.2] 16.8] 8,688} 68,681} 8,301] 0.1} 1.8| 4.7) 0.99] 1.00} 1.10
504 |Prof. equip. 22,848] 22,591) 21,468] 1.1] 3.8] 6.4 25,465] 25,273] 27,174) 0.8] 1.2) -6.3} 1.11) 1.12) 1.27
505 |Metals 7,879] 7,568} 8,065] 0.1) -0.7|  -6.0] 12,965] 12,940] 13,249] 0.2) O.6| -2.4) 1.71) 1.71] 1.64
506 |Electrical 19,396] 18,989} 17,738] 2.1] 0.7] 9.3] 26,562] 26,397] 25,474] 0.6] 1.3] 4.3] 1.37) 1.39) 1.44
507 |Hardware 6,828| 6,956) 6,602] -1.8] 1.2} 3.4] 13,260] 13,196] 13,238] 0.5] -0.41 0.2) 1.94] 1.90] 2.01
508 |Machinery 20,615] 20,257] 20,286] 1.8) 1.4] 1.6} 52,001] 51,524] 46,580] 0.9] -0.5] 11.6] 2.52] 2.54] 2.30
509 |Other Durable | 12,595] 12,474] 11,473] 1.0] 4.0} 9.8) 18,095] 18,130] 16,723] -0.2) 0.5] 8.2) 1.44) 1.45] 1.46
51 | Nondurable | 106,525] 103,854] 96,921] 26] 2.0} 9.9) 100,257|100,527| 96,837] -0.3] -0.5] 3.5| 0.94] 0.97| 1.00
511 |Paper 8,166] 8,194) 7,560] -0.3] 4.2} 8.0] 9,871) 9,682! 9,343] 20] 0.6] 5.7] 1.21] 1.18, 1.24
512 |Drugs 12,372] 12,090] 10,095] 2.3] 1.0] 22.6] 17,254] 16,768] 14,266] 29] 2.3] 20.9] 1.39] 1.39] 1.41
513 |Apparel 7,816] 7,916] 7,046]  -1.3) 4.7/ 10.9) 11,317] 11,887] 12,634] -4.8] -0.8] -10.4) 1.45] 1.50] 1.79
514 |Groceries 30,005] 30,156] 28,882) -0.5] 1.0| 3.9] 17,784] 17,963] 17,277] -1.0] -0.7] 2.9] 0.59] 0.60] 0.60
515 |Farm-products| 9,006] 8,636] 8,750} 4.3] 6.4) 2.9] 10,680] 11,057] 9,862} -3.4] 0.3 8.3) 1.19} 1.28} 1.13
516 |Chemicals 4,480} 4,292) 4,470} 4.41 0.5) 0.2] 4,768] 4,765) 4,725} 0.1] -1.8 0.9) 1.06] 1.11) 1.06
517 [Petroleum 12,238] 11,932] 10,315] 2.6] 4.6] 18.6 4,113] 3,869] 4,377) 6.3] -2.4 -6.0] 0.34] 0.92] 0.42
518 [Alcohol 5,570] 5,449] 4,966] 2.2] -0.1] 12.2] 6,438] 6,745] 5,886 -4.6) 4.4] 9.41 1.16) 1.24] 1.19
519 [Other Nondur. | 16,872) 15,190) 14,837] 11.1] -0.6] 13.7] 18,032] 17,791] 18,467) 1.4] -4.4)  -2.4] 1.07] 1.17] 1.24
Sales to date
1999 1998
U.S. Total | 237,521] 221,808] 220,052) 7.1) -0.3 7.9} 287,593} 288,339) 275,757) -0.3]  -1.1 4.3] 1,307,802] 1,248,985
50 | Durable 128,407} 117,127] 120,596] 9.6] -1.6) 6.5] 191,554] 191,300] 182,801] 0.1] 0.5} 4.8| 699,627) 669,484
501 |Automotive 20,067) 18,556] 17,588) 8.1) -4.4| 14.1] 27,325] 27,756] 25,070] -1.61 0.5] 9.0] 110,463] 99,719
502 |Furniture 4,190) 3,937) 4,188} 6.4] -3:2) 0.0] 6,168] 5,934] 6,063] 3.9] 28] 1.7] 23,4481 23,332
503 |Lumber 9,877) 8,793] 8,369] 12.3] 2.1] 18.0} 8,983] 38,924) 8,567] 0.7| 1.8] 4.9] 49,1621 43,532
504 |Prof. equip. 24,287) 21,123) 22,842) 15.0) -0.6] 6.3] 25,338] 25,172] 27,011] 0.7] 0.0] -6.2] 129,554) 124,825
505 |Metals 8,003) 7,447) 8,476] 7.5) -6.3] -6.6] 13,004} 12,992] 13,289] 0.1] 0.5] -2.1] 46,698] 49,477
506 |Electrical 20,075] 18,040] 18,323] 11.3] -1.1) 9.6 27,120] 26,555] 26,009] 2.1) 2.3] 4.3] 109,210] 102,369
507 |Hardware 7,545) 6,852} 7,328) 10.1) 0.6] 3.0] 13,459] 13,513] 13,423| -0.4| -0.1] 0.3] 39,868] 37,744
508 |Machinery 21,831| 20,541} 21,929] 6.3) -3.3)  -0.4) 52,261) 52,451] 46,813] -0.4 -0.7} 11.6] 121,883] 122,498
509 |Other Durable | 12,532] 11,838) 11,553] 5.9) 2.4) 8.5] 17,896] 18,003] 16,566] -0.6| 1.5] 38.1! 69,341] 65,988
51 | Nondurable | 109,114] 104,678] 99.456/ 4.2) 1.2 9.7| 96,039] 97,039] 92,956] -1.0} -4.3] 3.3] 608,175] 579,501
511 |Paper 8,166] 7,661) 7,530] 6.6] -2.1] 8.4) 9,693] 9,479] 9,176] 2.3] -2.31 5.61 47,084] 43,583
512 |Drugs 12,323) 11,413) 10,095] 8.0] -5.6] 22.1] 16,685] 16,013] 13,795] 4.2] -2.9] 20.9] 70,133] 59,776
513 |Apparel 7,777) 6,593] 6,947] 18.0] -9.1] 11.9] 11,521] 11,590] 12,849] -0.6] 0.6] -10.3] 44,684] 42,595
514 |Groceries 30,785] 31,121) 29,662} -1.1) 5.9] 3.8] 17,553] 17,865] 17,062) -1.7] 0.0] 29] 175,681] 168,899
515 |Farm-products } 8,511) 8,239] 8,304) 3.3] 7.6] 2.5 8,213] 9,177] 7,594) -10.5] -16.0| 8.2| 50,119] 54,516
516 |Chemicals 4,915] 4,374) 4,863) 12.4) 0.4{ 1.1] 4,744] 4,832) 4,711] -1.8| -0.6] 0.7] 26,398] 27,892
517 |Petroleum 12,091) 11,825] 10,202} 2.21 0.7] 18.8] 3,936] 3,869] 4,193| 1.7 1.6] -6.1] 64,979] 60,773
518 |Alcohol 6,172) 5,558) 5,458} 11.0] 1.9) 13.1] 6,528] 6,522) 5,951] 0.1! 1.7] 9.71 31,073] 28,559
519 |Other Nondur. | 18,374] 17,894] 16,395] 2.7} 1.4) 12.1] 17,166] 17,702] 17,636] -3.0] -10.1] -2.7} 98,024 92,908
P Preliminary estimate. r Revised.

1 For a full description of the SIC codes shown above, see the "1987 Standard Industrial Classification Manual" or the Current Business Reports

“Annual Benchmark Report for Wholesale Trade” publication.

2 Data adjusted for seasonal variations and, in the case of sales, also for trading-day differences. See Table 3 for seasonal adjustment factors used.

U.S. Consus Bureau


Table 2. Coefficients of Variation and Standard Error for Sales and Inventories

5 Coefficients of
Coefficients of variation for level Standard.error for trend variation for level | Standard error
(x 100) {x 100) for trend
Ratio of two
SIC | kind of Business Preliminary Final estimates conseuutive Year-to-year Cumulative sates | Current year
code estimates th estimates estimates cumulative
Sales Inv. Sales Inv. Inv. Sales Inv. Current | Previous _ to
previous year
Median | Median | Median | Median Median | Median | Median | —Y®2" year cumulative
U.S. Total 1.3 15 1.3 1.5 0.2 08 0.6 1.3 11 0.7
50 | Durable 1.8 25 1.8 2.5 0.3 11 0.8 1.8 2.1 0.9
501 |Automotive 4.6 4.8 4.5 48 0.7 2.4 3.1 47 5.0 1.9
502 |Furniture 6.3 7.9 6.4 7.9 2.0 1.1 2.8 2.3 5.9 6.4 1.9
503 |Lumber 5.7 5.4 5.7 5.3 1.3 0.8 1.9 3.2 5.7 5.7 1.4
504 |Prof. equip. 6.7 7.0 6.6 7.0 14 0.5 3.3 2.0 6.6 5.7 3.1
505 |Metals 5.2 10.7 5.1 10.7 1.1 0.7 1.6 2.2 5.0 5.0 0.8
506 |Electrical 5.6 7.2 5.6 7.3 1.3 0.6 2.4 2.3 5.6 6.3 1.9
507 |Hardware 5.6 6.6 5.6 6.6 1.2 0.7 1.8 2.0 5.6 5.5 0.9
508 |Machinery 6.1 6.7 6.1 6.7 2.0 0.5 2.6 1.4 5.8 6.6 17
509 |Other Durable 6.5 9.7 6.4 9.6 1.4 0.9 2.2 3.0 6.5 6.0 1.6
51 | Nondurable 21 2.5 2.0 2.5 0.5 0.4 0.9 1.3 2.1 1.8 0.6
511 |Paper 5.3 5.1 5.1 5.1 1.0 0.5 1.8 1.5 5.9 5.2 1.0
512 {Drugs 6.2 47 6.2 47 1.0 0.6 2.4 1.6 6.0 6.7 1.6
513 |Apparel 5.5 71 5.4 7.2 2.0 1 3.2 2.5 49 47 17
514 |Groceries 3.41 5.1 3.1 5.0 0.6 0.6 1d 14 3.0 3.3 0.8
515 |Farm-products | 7.0 8.9 6.8 8.9 2.3 15 2.9 41 6.9 5.7 2.3
516 |Chemicals 5.3 6.1 5.4 6.3 1.2 0.9 19 2.6 5.2 5.6 1.0
517 |Petroleum 7.0 13.6 7.0 13.7 1.0 1.3 1.6 1.9 6.7 6.7 1.4
518 |Alcohol 6.0 8.5 6.1 8.5 15 1.2 1.9 2.0 5.9 6.4 1.4
519 |Other Nondur. 6.6 9.1 6.8 8.3 2.0 11 3.8 4.2 7.3 5.6 27

Note: The median measures of variability are based on the most recent 12 months of data.

Sample Design and Reliability of Data

There are two types of errors possible in an estimate
based on a sample survey: sampling and nonsampling.

Sampling errors occur because observations are made on
a sample, not on the entire population, and different
samples could have led to different estimates. Standard
errors and coefficients of variation, as calculated for this
report, are measures of sampling variation. The margin
of sampling error, as used on page 1, gives a range
about the estimate which is a 90% confidence interval.
lf, for example, the trend estimate is up 1.2% and the
standard error is 0.9%, then the margin of sampling
error is +1.65 x 0.9% or +1.5%, and the 90%
confidence interval is -0.3% to +2.7%. If the interval
contains O, it cannot be stated with certainty whether
there was an increase or decrease. For monthly level,
the coefficient of variation (CV) is given. The resulting
confidence interval is the estimated value +1.65 x CV x
{the estimated value).

Nonsampling errors are usually attributed to many

possible sources: (1) coverage error - failure to
accurately represent all population units in the sample,

U.S. Census Bureau

(2) inability to obtain information about all sample
(3) response errors, possibly due to defi
difficulties or misreporting, (4) mistakes in recording or
coding the data obtained, and (5) other errors of
collection or processing, or in imputing for missing or
inconsistent data. Coverage error has an effect on the
accuracy of estimates for this survey to the extent that
the administrative records system, which forms the basis
of our survey universe frame, does not contain all legal
businesses. A major source of nonsampling error in the
published estimates is due to the need to impute data for
nonrespondents and for late and inconsistent reports.
For all kinds of businesses combined, imputed data
amount to about 31 percent of the total monthly
wholesale sales estimates and 32 percent of the total
monthly wholesale inventories estimates.

Nonsampling errors also occur in complete censuses.
Although no direct measures of these errors have been
obtained, precautionary steps were taken in all phases of
the collection, processing, and tabulation of the data to
minimize their influence.


U.S. Department of Commerce FIRST-CLASS MAIL

U.S. Census Bureau

Washington, DC 20233 CENSUS

Official Business
Penalty for Private Use, $300

POSTAGE & FEES PAID

PERMIT No. G-58

Table 3. Seasonal Adjustment Factors for Sales and Inventories of Merchant Wholesalers

sic Kind of Sales . Inventories

code Business. 1999 1998 1999 1998
Nov. | Oct.r | Sep.r | Aug. Jul. | Oct.r | Nov. | Oct.r | Sep.r[ Aug. [| Jul. | Oct.r

U.S. Total’ | 0.998 | 1.023 | 1.027 | 1.015 | 0.990 | 1.054 | 1.009 | 1.007 | 0.982 | 0.981 | 0.993 | 1.007

50 Durable 0.994 | 1.035 | 1.044 | 1.024 | 0.995 | 1.062 | 0.990 | 0.997 | 0.996 | 1.001 | 1.012 | 0.997
501 |Automotive |} 0.994 | 1.006 | 0.973 | 1.001 | 1.006 | 1.033 | 1.004 | 1.002 | 0.987 | 0.973 | 0.992 | 1.001
502 |Furniture 1,068 | 1.056 | 1.055 | 1.038 | 0.975 | 1.093 | 0.994 | 1.022 | 1.035 | 1.038 | 1.026 | 1.019
503 |Lumber 0.969 | 1.056 | 1.064 } 1.114 | 1.081 | 1.083 } 0.967 | 0.964 | 0.999 | 1.011 | 1.027 | 0.964
504 |Prof. equip. 0.965 | 1.010 | 1.082 } 1.004 | 0.981 | 1.041 | 1.009 | 1.010 | 0.987 | 0.996 | 1.012 | 1.009
505 |Metals 0.963 | 1.021 | 1.016 | 1.022 | 0.972 | 1.042 | 0.976 | 0.980 | 0.989 | 0.998 | 1.009 | 0.981
506 |Electrical 1,001 | 1.073 | 1.084 | 1.045 | 0.998 | 1.091 | 0.985 | 0.985 | 1.006 | 1.025 | 1.029 | 0.985
507 |Hardware 1.007 | 1.062 | 1.045 | 1.054 | 1.064 | 1.086 | 0.981 | 0.983 | 0.993 | 1.000 | 1.005 } 0.985
508 |Machinery 0.983 | 0.988 | 0.986 | 1.001 | 0.979 | 1.028 | 0.985 | 0.992 | 0.983 | 0.997 | 1.012 | 0.993
509 |Other Durable | 1.073 | 1.104 | 1.104 | 1.027 | 0.960 | 1.136 } 0.990 | 1.043 | 1.032 | 1.024 | 1.012 | 1.042
51 Nondurable | 0.996 | 1.014 | 1.006 | 1.005 | 0.984 | 1.045 | 1.043 | 1.027 | 0.959 | 0.944 | 0.958 | 1.027
511 |Paper 0.982 | 1.031 | 1.052 | 1.058 | 0.953 | 1.047 } 1.022 | 1.001 | 0.983 | 0.984 | 1.000 | 1.003
512 |Drugs 1.015 | 1.001 | 1.014 | 0.991 | 0.965 | 1.034 | 1.001 | 1.015 | 0.981 | 0.974 | 0.989 | 1.016
513 |Apparel 0.937 | 1.090 | 1.136 | 1.103 | 1.039 | 1.129 } 0.972 | 0.993 | 1.003 | 1.019 | 1.029 | 0.991
514 |Groceries 1,002 | 0.999 | 0.997 | 1.015 | 1.022 | 1.032 | 1.034 | 1.051 | 1.002 | 0.985 | 0.995 | 1.052
515 |Farm-products | 1.100 | 1.069 | 0.979 | 0.916 | 0.872 | 1.094 | 1.272 | 1.188 | 0.726 | 0.698 | 0.735 | 1.176
516 |Chemicals 0.977 | 1.006 | 0.992 | 1.035 | 0.995 | 1.032 | 0.998 | 0.980 | 0.982"| 0.998 | 1.006 | 0.980
517 |Petroleum 1.031 | 1.011 | 0.983 | 1.019 | 0.976 | 1.034 } 1.026 | 1.042 | 1.013 | 0.987 | 0.977 | 1.040
518 | Alcohol 1.056 | 1.003 | 1.027 | 1.049 } 1.027 | 1.052 | 1.076 | 1.082 | 1.045 | 1.001 | 1.016 | 1.084
519 |Other Nondur. | 0.927 | 0.945 | 0.976 | 0.959 | 0.963 | 0.973 | 1.003 | 0.962 | 0.937 | 0.928 | 0.937 | 0.964

r Revised.

1 Adjusted sales and inventories data shown in Table 1 are obtained by dividing the unadjusted data by the
adjustment factors shown above for the corresponding group. Adjusted data for the totals are obtained by adding
the durable and nondurable goods. Seasonal factors shown for the totals will provide an approximation of the
adjusted estimates, but may show small differences from the published data.

Note: The seasonal factors shown have been computed based on monthly estimates through the current month
preliminary estimates.

U.S. Census Bureau


U.S. Department of Commerce FIRST-CLASS MAIL

U.S. Census Bureau

Washington, DC 20233 CENSUS

Official Business
Penalty for Private Use, $300

POSTAGE & FEES PAID

PERMIT No. G-58

Table 3. Seasonal Adjustment Factors for Sales and Inventories of Merchant Wholesalers

sic Kind of Sales Inventories
code Business 1999 1998 1999 1998
Aug. | Julr | Jun. | May Apr. Jule | Aug. | Jul. | Jun. | May | Apr. Jul.r
U.S. Total’ | 1.017 | 0.989 | 1.043 | 0.991 | 1.010 | 1.009 | 0.981 | 0.993 | 0.985 | 0.994 | 1.006 | 0.993
50 Durable 1,025 | 0.996 | 1.058 | 0.976 | 1.007 | 1.017 | 1.002 | 1.011 | 1.001 | 1.009 | 1.009 | 1.012
501 {Automotive 0.996 | 1.013 | 1.064 | 1.002 | 1.046 | 1.022 | 0.976 | 0.992 | 0.988 | 1.006 | 1.015 | 0.992
502 |Furniture 1.034 | 0.978 | 1.008 | 0.969 | 1.016 | 0.994 J 1.039 | 1.026 | 1.016 | 0.996 | 0.974 | 1.026
503 |Lumber 1.124 | 1.079 | 1.123 | 1.018 | 1.019 | 1.107 | 1.007 | 1.029 | 1.033 | 1.028 | 1.028 | 1.026
504 |Prof. equip. 1.003 | 0.980 | 1.064 | 0.935 | 0.976 | 1.002 | 1.001 | 1.011 | 0.994 | 0.996 | 1.007 | 1.012
505 |Metals 1,025 | 0.971 | 1.054 | 0.984 | 1.031] 0.988 | 1.001 | 1.009 | 1.003 | 1.004} 1.005 | 1.009
5O6 {Electrical 1,044 | 0.999 | 1.035 | 0.950 | 0.967 | 1.022 | 1.027 | 1.028 | 1.020 | 1.006 | 0.996 | 1.028
507 |Hardware 1.050 | 1.067 | 1.110 | 0.985 | 0.991 | 1.089 | 1.003 | 1.004 | 1.014 | 1.024 | 1.021 | 1.004
508 |Machinery 1.003 | 0.977 | 1.061 | 1.014 | 1.063 | 0.994 | 0.998 | 1.011 | 1.005 | 1.018 | 1.020 | 1.011
509 |Other Durable | 1.037 | 0.959 | 0.998 | 0.949 | 0.964 | 0.966 | 1.024 | 1.010 | 0.992 | 0.993 | 0.983 | 1.014
51 Nondurable | 1.007 | 0.985 | 1.028 } 1.009 | 1.015 | 1.006 | 0.941 | 0.959 | 0.956 | 0.965 | 1.009 | 0.960
511 |Paper 1.057 | 0.953 | 1.004 | 0.935 | 0.996 | 0.988 | 0.978 | 1.001 | 0.981 | 0.979 | 1.008 | 1.001
512 |Drugs 0.993 | 0.964 | 0.998 } 0.944 | 1.010 | 0.996 | 0.972 | 0.987 | 0.969 | 0.955 | 1.006 | 0.987
513 |Apparel 1.106 | 1.036 | 1.002 | 0.833 | 0.960 | 1.064 | 1.019 | 1.030 |] 1.016 | 0.975 | 0.962 | 1.030
514 |Groceries 1.014 | 1.024 | 1.025 | 1.032 | 0.984 | 1.035 | 0.982 | 0.998 | 0.988 | 0.994 | 0.987 | 0.998
515 |Farm-products } 0.937 }| 0.863 | 0.953 | 0.954 | 0.943 | 0.895 | 0.696 | 0.738 | 0.773 | 0.830 | 0.991 | 0.740
516 |Chemicals 1,032 | 0.997 | 1.092 | 1.019 | 1.020 | 1.021 | 1.003 | 1.006 | 0.993 | 1.014 | 1.002 | 1.003
517 |Petroleum 1,003 | 0.985 | 0.985 | 0.991 | 1.028 | 1.009 | 0.995 | 0.971 | 0.957 | 1.000 | 0.992 | 0.973
518 |Alcohol 1.054 | 1.027 | 1.110 | 1.020 | 1.000 | 1.066 | 1.000 | 1.017 | 1.015 | 0.967 | 0.993 | 1.019
519 |Other Nondur.

0.965 | 0.969 | 1.097 | 1.178 | 1.154 | 0.992 | 0.922 | 0.941 | 0.950 | 0.995 | 1.058 | 0.943

r Revised.

1 Adjusted sales and inventories data shown in Table 1 are obtained by dividing the unadjusted data by the
adjustment factors shown above for the corresponding group. Adjusted data for the totals are obtained by adding
the durable and nondurable goods. Seasonal factors shown for the totals will provide an approximation of the
adjusted estimates, but may show small differences from the published data.

Note: The seasonal factors shown have been computed based on monthly estimates through the current month
preliminary estimates.

U.S. Census Bureau


U.S. Department of Commerce
BUREAU OF THE CENSUS
Washington, D.C. 20233

Official Business
Penalty for Private Use, $300

FIRST-CLASS MAIL

POSTAGE & FEES PAID

CENSUS

PERMIT No. G-58

Table 3. Seasonal Adjustment Factors for Sales and Inventories of Merchant Wholesalers

sic Kind of Sales Inventories
code Business 1999 1998 1998 1999 1998 1998
Feb. | Jan-r | Dec.r | Nov. | Oct. | Jan.r | Feb. | Jan.r | Dec.r | Nov. | Oct. | Janz

U.S. Total’ | 0.915 | 0.908 | 1.016 | 0.968 | 1.061 | 0.937 | 1.014 | 1.019 | 1.004 | 1.008 | 1.006 | 1.019
50 Durable 0.904 | 0.885 | 1.006 | 0.967 | 1.069 | 0.910 | 1.003 | 0.997 | 0.984 | 0.990 | 0.996 0.997
501 |Automotive 0,908 | 0.869 | 1.036 | 0.957 | 1.036 | 0.898 | 1.044 | 1.015 | 0.969 | 1.005 | 1.002 | 1.015
502 {Furniture 0.882 | 0.869 | 1.020 | 1.046 | 1.089 | 0.895 | 0.975 | 0.980 | 0.976 | 0.993 | 1.000 0.980
503 |Lumber 0.842 | 0.821 | 0.889 | 0.931 | 1.088 | 0.842 | 1.004 | 0.977 | 0.964 | 0.969 | 0.960 0.979
504 Prof. equip. 0.909 | 0.910 | 1.083 | 0.935 | 1.048 | 0.939 | 0.987 | 1.009 | 0.999 | 1.009 1.005 | 1.010
505 |Metals 0.942 | 0.951 | 0.946 | 0.938 | 1.036 | 0.970 | 0.999 | 1.009 | 1.010 | 0.971 | 0.976 | 1.010
506 |Electrical 0.907 | 0.891 | 0.990 | 0.985 | 1.095 | 0.909 | 0.996 | 0.996 | 0.977 | 0.984 0.983 | 0.996
507 |Hardware 0.862 | 0.879 | 0.942 | 0.977 | 1.103 | 0.896 | 0.999 | 0.983 | 0.983 | 0.982 | 0.988 0.983
508 |Machinery 0.925 | 0.892 | 1.020 | 0.938 | 1.035 | 0.925 | 0.998 | 0.988 | 0.990 | 0.986 0.999 | 0.988
509 |Other Durable | 0.882 | 0.857 | 1.029 | 1.068 | 1.154 | 0.878 0.981 | 0.994 | 0.977 | 0.992 | 1.039 | 0.993
51 Nondurable | 0.926 | 0.934 | 1.026 | 0.970 | 1.046 | 0.964 | 1.034 | 1.058 | 1.039 | 1.040 | 1.025 | 1.058
511 .|/Paper 0.944 | 0.980 | 1.013 | 0.951 | 1.039 | 1.000 | 0.998 | 1.019 | 1.026 | 1.021 | 1.007 | 1.020
512 |Drugs 0.930 | 1.003 | 1.054 | 0.980 | 1.043 | 1.030 | 1.017 | 1.072 | 1.020 | 1.003 | 1.010 | 1.072
513 |Apparel 1.028 | 0.915 | 0.825 | 0.921 | 1.138 | 0.944 | 1.008 | 1.041 | 1.007 | 0.968 | 0.985 | 1.040
514 |Groceries 0.909 | 0.934 | 1.032 | 0.981 | 1.031 | 0.963 | 0.968 | 0.999 | 1.006 | 1.036 | 1.053 | 1.000
515 |Farm-products | 0.965 | 1.043 | 1.154 | 1.044 | 1.074 | 1.078 | 1.211 1.272 | 1.235 | 1.243 | 1.141 | 1.277
516 |Chemicals 0,945 | 0.933 | 0.938 | 0.938 | 1.025 | 0.961 | 1.010 | 0.999 | 0.999 | 0.995 | 0.977 0.998
517 |Petroleum 0.945 | 0.994 | 1.049 | 1.004 | 1.030 | 1.013 | 0.978 | 1.019 | 1.049 | 1.028 | 1.037 1.014
518 |Alcohol 0.811 | 0.736 | 1.173 | 1.014 | 1.048 | 0.777 | 0.954 | 0.933 | 0.918 | 1.078 1.091 | 0.934
519 |Other Nondur, | 0.890 | 0.824 | 0.977 | 0.902 | 0.979 | 0.858 1.068 | 1.056 | 1.013 | 0.997 | 0.966 | 1.055

rt Revised

1 Adjusted sales and inventories data shown in table 1 are obtained by dividing the unadjusted data by the

ponding group. Adjusted data for the totals are obtained by adding
the durable and nondurable goods. Seasonal factors shown for the totals will provide an approximation of the

adjustment factors shown above for the corres;

adjusted estimates, but may show small differences from the published data.

Note: The seasonal factors shown have been computed based on monthly estimates through the current month

preliminary estimates.

U.S. Census Bureau, the Official Statistics”

March 9, 1999


Table 2. Coefficients of Variation and Standard Error for Sales and Inventories

" Tau Coefficients of
Coefficients of variation for tevel Standard error for trend variation for level | St@nderd error
{x 100) for trend
Ratio of two x10)
SIC | vind of Business | Preliminary Final estimates consecutive Year-to-year Cumulative sales | Current year
code estimates ths estimates: estimates cumulative
Sales | Inv. | Sales | Inv. Inv. | Sales | Inv. | Current | Previous to
previous year
Median | Median | Median | Median Median | Median | Median year year cumulative
U.S. Total | 1.4 15 1.3 15 0.2 0.7 06 1.3 11 0.6
50 | Durable 19 2.5 19 2.5 0.6 0.3 1.0 08 1.8 2.0 0.8
501 |Automotive 46 4.8 48 48 1.2 0.7 2.3 3.1 4.6 49 WT
502 |Furniture 6.3 8.3 6.3 8.1 1.9 1.0 2.7 2.3 5.8 6.2 1.7
503 |Lumber 5.7 5.4 5.7 5.4 1.3 0.9 24 3.8 5.6 5.6 1.4
504 |Prof. equip. 6.8 6.6 6.7 6.6 1.3 0.5 3.4 2.0 6.6 5.6 34
505 |Metals 5.2 10.8 5.1 10.9 11 0.7 1.6 24 5.0 5.1 0.9
506 |Electrical 5.5 7.3 5.6 7.3 1.2 0.6 2.7 2.4 5.4 6.2 1.8
507 |Hardware 5.8 6.6 5.6 6.6 1.2 0.6 1.8 1.9 5.7 5.6 0.9
508 |Machinery 5.9 6.7 6.0 6.7 24 0.5 2.7 1.4 5.7 6.5 1.6
509 |Other Durable 6.6 9.8 6.5 9.7 1.6 0.8 2.4 3.1 6.4 6.0 1.6
51 | Nondurable 2.3 2.6 2.2 2.6 0.5 0.4 0.9 1.3 21 18 0.6
511 |Paper 6.6 5.2 6.0 5.2 0.8 0.5 1.8 1.4 6.0 5.2 1.0
512 |Drugs 6.0 48 6.0 47 0.8 0.5 2.4 1.5 5.9 6.6 V7
513 |Apparel 5.6 7.0 5.5 7.0 1.8 1.0 3.2 2.5 5.0 48 1.7
514 |Groceries 3.1 5.1 3.1 5.0 0.7 0.6 1.2 1.9 3.0 3.3 0.7
515 |Farm-products 7.2 8.9 71 8.9 2.3 1.5 3.0 44 7.0 5.9 2.2
516 |Chemicals 5.3 5.9 5.4 6.0 1.2 0.9 1.9 2.9 5.2 5.5 1.0
517 |Petroleum 7.0 13.6 7.0 13.6 1.0 }° 1.0 17 1.8 6.3 6.7 1.5
518 |Alcohol 5.8 8.4 6.0 8.3 15 1.2 19 19 5.9 6.3 1.3
519 {Other Nondur. 7.8 10.7 7.0 10.0 2.0 1.2 3.5 44 7.5 5.6 27

Note: The median measures of variability are based on the most recent 12 months of data.

Sample Design and Reliability of Data

There are two types of errors possible in an estimate
based on a sample survey: sampling and nonsampling.

Sampling errors occur because observations are made on
a sample, not on the entire population, and different
samples could have led to different estimates. Standard
errors and coefficients of variation, as calculated for this
report, are measures of sampling variation. The margin
of sampling error, as used on page 1, gives a range
about the estimate which is a 90% confidence interval.
If, for example, the trend estimate is up 1.2% and the
standard error is 0.9%, then the margin of sampling
error is +1.65 x 0.9% or +1.5%, and the 90%
confidence interval is -0.3% to +2.7%. If the interval
contains O, it cannot be stated with certainty whether
there was an increase or decrease. For monthly level,
the coefficient of variation (CV) is given. The resulting
confidence interval is the estimated value +1.65 x CV x
(the estimated value).

Nonsampling errors are usually attributed to many

possible sources: {1) coverage error - failure to
accurately represent all population units in the sample,

U.S. Census Bureau, the Official Statistics" February 9, 2000

(2) inability to obtain information about all sample cases,
(3) response errors, possibly due to definitional
difficulties or misreporting, (4) mistakes in recording or
coding the data obtained, and (5) other errors of
collection or processing, or in imputing for missing or
inconsistent data. Coverage error has an effect on the
accuracy of estimates for this survey to the extent that
the administrative records system, which forms the basis
of our survey universe frame, does not contain all legal
businesses. A major source of nonsampling error in the
published estimates is due to the need to impute data for
nonrespondents and for late and inconsistent reports.
For all kinds of businesses combined, imputed data
amount to about 31 percent of the total monthly
wholesale sales estimates and 32 percent of the total
monthly wholesale inventories estimates.

Nonsampling errors also occur in complete censuses.
Although no direct measures of these errors have been
obtained, precautionary steps were taken in all phases of
the collection, processing, and tabulation of the data to
minimize their influence.


CURRENT BUSINESS REPORTS

cy
ay

U.S. Department of Commerce
Economics and Statistics Administration
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

Monthly Wholesale Trade

Sales and Inventories

December 1999
BW/99-12
Issued February 2000

MONTHLY WHOLESALE TRADE: SALES AND INVENTORIES
DECEMBER 1999

Notice of Final Report — In an effort to save cost, this is our final report. Information from this report will remain available through the Internet
lon the site shown at the bottom of this page. For any questions or for a copy of this report contact Scott Scheleur at 301-457-2747.

intention to Revise Wholesale Estimates: Monthly wholesale data will be revised based on the results of the 1998 Annual Trade Survey.
Unadjusted sales, inventories, and inventories/sales ratios will be revised for January 1993 through February 2000, while corresponding
adjusted data will be revised for January 1990 through February 2000. Revised data are scheduled for release the week of May 1.

Sales. December 1999 sales of merchant wholesalers, after
adjustment for seasonal variations and trading-day differences
but not for price changes, were $240.1 billion, up 1.1 percent
(+/0.7%) from the revised November level and were 11.7
percent (+/-1.2%) above the December 1998 level. The
November preliminary estimate was revised upward $0.7 billion
or 0.3 percent. December sales of durable goods increased 1.6
percent (+/-1.0%) from last month and were up 12.4 percent
(+/-1.6%) from a year ago. Compared to last month, sales of
metals and minerals, except petroleum were up 2.2 percent.
Among nondurable goods, sales of drugs, drug proprietaries, and
druggists’ sundries increased 3.4 percent from last month, while
farm-product raw materials fell 6.1 percent.

Inventories. Total inventories of merchant wholesalers, after
adjustment for seasonal variations but not for price changes,

percent (+/-1.7%) above December 1998. The November
preliminary estimate was revised upward $0.7 billion or 0.2
percent. Among durable goods, inventories of furniture and
home furnishings increased 2.4 percent from last month and
electrical goods increased 2.3 percent. Within the nondurable
goods trade, inventories of chemicals and allied products
increased 2.2 percent from last month, while petroleum and
petroleum products decreased 3.0 percent.

Inventories/Sales Ratio. The December inventories/sales ratio
for merchant wholesalers, based on seasonally adjusted data,
was 1.27. The December 1998 ratio was 1.33.

Data in this report are based on a sample and, therefore, are
subject to sampling and nonsampling variability. A discussion of

were $305.0 billion at the end of December, up 0.4 percent

the reliability of the data and general survey methodology
(+/- 0.5%) from the revised November level and were 6.4

appears in BW/97-RV Current Business Reports.

Monthly Inventories/Sales Ratios of Merchant Wholesalers: 1990 to 1999
(Data adjusted for seasonal and trading-day differences, but not for price changes)
1.40

1.30 +

1.25 }

1.20

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Monthly Wholesale Trade for January is scheduled to be released March 9, 2000 at 10:00 a.m.

Address inquiries concerning this report to Service Sector Statistics Division, Bureau of the Census, Washington, DC 20233, or
call Scott Scheleur, (301) 457-2747 or 457-2764. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402.

This report is available on day of issue through the Department of Commerce’s online Economic Bulletin Board (202-482-1986).
The data are also available on the internet - http://www.census.gov/svsd/www/mwts.html.


Table 2. Coefficients of Variation and Standard Error for Sales and Inventories

i 5 Coefficients of Standard
Coeff
efficients a 0. for level Standard error for trend variation for level | error for
—— {x 100) trend
fatio of two
sic Kind of business Preliminary Final estimates ‘consecutive Year to year Cumulative sales | Current year
code estimates months estimates estimates: cumulative
Sales Inv Sales Inv Sales Inv Sales Inv Current | Previous to
Mediz Medi: Medi: dt year year Previous year
ledian ledian | Median ian | Median | Median | Median | Median cur i
U.S. Total 14 1.3 1.41 1.3 0.4 0.2 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.1 0.8
50 | Durable 1.9 2.3 1.9 2.3 0.6 0.3 14 1.2 1.8 2.3 11
501 |Automotive 4.3 48 4.2 49 11 0.9 1.9 2.2 4.3 5.0 2.4
502 |Furniture 6.5 77 6.4 77 2.2 0.8 3.1 2.6 6.3 6.7 1.5
503 {Lumber 5.3 5.4 5.2 5.4 1.2 0.7 1.8 2.3 5.6 5.7 1.3
504 |Prof. equip. 5.6 7.0 5.3 6.7 1.3 0.7 3.3 2.4 6.5 5.4 3.2
505 |Metals 49 9.9 4.8 9.7 14 0.8 1.6 3.0 5.1 46 1.2
506 |Electrical 5.8 6.6 5.9 6.6 1.4 0.6 24 2.4 5.8 6.1 2.2
507 |Hardware 5.6 6.1 5.6 6.0 1.2 0.6 1.6 21 5.8 5.3 1.5
508 |Machinery 6.4 6.5 6.3 6.4 1.8 0.6 2.7 24 6.3 6.9 2.2
509 |Other Durable 6.5 8.5 6.3 8.1 1.6 0.9 2.5 2.3 6.5 5.8 2.2
51 Nondurable 1.9 2.2 1.9 2.2 0.6 0.4 1.0 1.3 1.9 1.8 0.9
511 |Paper 49 5.1 49 5.1 14 0.6 24 2.2 49 5.1 1.4
512 |Drugs 6.3 4.8 6.3 49 0.9 0.8 2.3 1.6 6.4 7 1.4
513 {Apparel 5.1 7.6 5.0 7.6 24 141 2.9 2.5 4.6 48 2.0
514 |Groceries 3.0 5.1 3.0 5.1 0.7 0.6 1.3 1.2 2.9 2.8 1.0
515 |Farm-products 6.6 8.3 6.5 8.2 2.2 1.7 2.8 3.9 6.2 5.5 2.2
516 |Chemicals 5.5 6.2 5.6 6.2 1.3 0.6 2.0 2.0 5.0 5.8 1.5
517 |Petroleum 6.4 14.7 6.2 15.4 0.9 0.9 1.8 1.7 7.2 6.9 1.2
518 |Alcohol 6.4 8.7 6.4 8.8 1.5 1.4 1.3 16.4 6.2 6.3 1,3
519 |Other Nondur. 6.3 7.3 6.3 6.9 2.0 11 A2 41 6.4 6.5 3.6
Note: The median measures of variability are based on the most recent 12 months of data.

Sample Design and Reliability of Data

There are two types of errors possible in an estimate
based on a sample survey: sampling and nonsampling.

Sampling errors occur because observations are made on
a sample, not on the entire population, and different
samples could have led to different estimates. Standard
errors and coefficients of variation, as calculated for this
report, are measures of sampling variation. The margin
of sampling error, as used on page 1, gives a range
about the estimate which is a 90% confidence interval.
If, for example, the trend estimate is up 1.2% and the
standard error is 0.9%, then the margin of sampling
error is £1.65 x 0.9% or +1.5%, and the 90%
confidence interval is -0.3% to +2.7%. If the interval
contains 0, it cannot be stated with certainty whether
there was an increase or decrease. For monthly level,
the coefficient of variation (CV) is given. The resulting
confidence interval is the estimated value + 1.65 x CV x
{the estimated value).

Nonsampling errors are usually attributed to many
possible sources: (1) coverage error - failure to
accurately represent all population units in the sample,

U.S. Census Bureau, the Official StatisticsTM June 8,1999

(2) inability to obtain information about all sample cases,
(3) response errors, possibly due to definitional
difficulties or misreporting, (4) mistakes in recording or
coding the data obtained, and (5) other errors of
collection or processing, or in imputing for missing or
inconsistent data. Coverage error has an effect on the
accuracy of estimates for this survey to the extent that
the administrative records system, which forms the basis
of our survey universe frame, does not contain all legal
businesses. A major source of nonsampling error in the
published estimates is due to the need to impute data for
nonrespondents and for late and inconsistent reports.
For all kinds of businesses combined, imputed data
amount to about 26 percent of the total monthly
wholesale sales estimates and 28 percent of the total
monthly wholesale inventories estimates.

Nonsampling errors also occur in complete censuses.
Although no direct measures of these errors have been
obtained, precautionary steps were taken in all phases of
the collection, processing, and tabulation of the data to
minimize their influence.


CURRENT BUSINESS REPORTS

oy

i EA % Monthly Wholesale Trade
ee Sales and Inventories
U.S. Department of Commerce May 1999
Economics and Statistics Administration BW/99-5

U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

Issued July 1999

MONTHLY WHOLESALE TRADE: SALES AND INVENTORIES
MAY 1999

intention to Revise Wholesale Estimates: Monthly wholesale data will be revised based on the results of the 1997 Annual Trade Survey,
which reflects the preliminary 1997 Census of Wholesale Trade data. Unadjusted sales, inventories, and inventories/sales ratios will be
revised for January 1993 through May 1999, while corresponding adjusted data will be revised for January 1990 through May 1999.

Revised data are scheduled for release the week of August 2.

Sales. May 1999 sales of merchant wholesalers, after adjustment for
seasonal variations and trading-day differences but not for price
changes, were $225.5 billion, up 1.5 percent (+/- 0.7%) from the
revised April level and were 6.0 percent (+/- 1.2%) above the May
1998 level. The April preliminary estimate was revised upward $0.4
billion or 0.2 percent. May sales of durable goods increased 1.2
percent from last month (+/-1.1%) and were 5.9 percent (+/-1.7%)
above last year. Compared to last month, sales of professional and
commercial equipment and supplies increased 2.6 percent and
lumber and other construction materials grew 2.4 percent. May
sales of nondurable goods increased 1.7 percent (+/-0.8%) from
April and were up 6.2 percent (+/-1.0%) from fast year. Sales of
farm-product raw materials increased 5.6 percent from fast month
and apparel, piece goods, and notions were up 4.2 percent.

Inventories. Total inventories of merchant wholesalers, after
adjustment for seasonal variations but not for price changes, were

$289.6 billion at the end of May, up 0.3 percent (+/- 0.4%) from the
revised April level and were 4.3 percent (+/- 1.0%) above May 1998.
The April preliminary estimate was revised downward $0.1 billion.
Among durable goods, inventories of electrical goods increased 1.9
percent from last month. Among nondurable goods, inventories of
beer, wine, and distilled alcoholic beverages increased 4.6 percent
from April and drugs, drug proprietaries, and druggists’ sundries
increased 3.3 percent.

Inventories/Sales Ratio. The May inventories/sales ratio for
merchant wholesalers, based on seasonally adjusted data, was 1.28.
The May 1998 ratio was 1.31.

Data in this report are based on a sample and, therefore, are
subject to sampling and nonsampling variability. A discussion of
the reliability of the data and general survey methodology
appears in BW/97-RV Current Business Reports.

Monthly Inventories/Sales Ratios of Merchant Wholesalers: 1990 to 1999
(Data adjusted for seasonal and trading-day differences, but not for price changes)

1.40

1.35 b

1.30 +

1.20

1990 1991 1992 1997

Monthly Wholesale Trade for June is scheduled to be released August 9, 1999 at 10:00 a.m.

1993 1994 1995 1996 1998 1999

Address inquiries concerning this report to Service Sector Statistics Division, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233, or
call Ronald Piencykoski, 301-457-2779 or 301-457-2764. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.

This report is available on day of issue through the Department of Commerce’s online Economic Bulletin Board (202-482-1986).
The data are also available on the Internet - http://www.census.gov/svsd/www/mwts.html.


Table 2. Coefficients of Variation and Standard Error for Sales and Inventories

Coefficients of variation for level Coefficients of Standard
ix 100} Standard error for trend variation for level | error for
— {x 100) trend
, fatio of two -
SIC | King of business | Preliminary Final estimates conecuutive Year to year Cumulative sales | Current year
code estimates ‘months estimates estimates cumulative
Sales | Inv_| Sales | Inv | Sales | Inv | Sales | inv | Current | Previous to
Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Year year previows year
U.S. Total | 1.0 1.3 1.0 1.3 04 | 02 0.7 1.0 11 Ww 08
50 | Durable 1.9 2.2 19 2.2 0.6 0.3 1.0 1.2 2.0 2.4 0.9
501 | Automotive 4.2 5.1 4.2 5.2 1.0 0.8 2.0 2.0 3.9 5.3 24
502 | Furniture 6.5 77 6.6 77 24 0.8 3.4 2.5 6.8 6.4 21
503 |Lumber 5.0 5.6 5.1 5.7 1.2 0.7 2.0 2.3 5.6 6.0 1.6
504 |Prof. equip. 5.2 6.3 49 6.1 1.3 0.6 3.2 2.8 6.2 5.8 3.3
505 | Metals 46 9.3 46 9.2 1.2 0.8 1.5 3.1 5.0 47 1.5
506 |Electrical 5.9 6.4 5.9 6.3 15 0.6 2.0 2.4 75 7 2.0
507 |Hardware 5.2 5.9 5.3 5.8 Ww 0.6 15 1.9 47 61 2.2
508 |Machinery 6.5 6.2 6.3 6.2 WW 0.6 2.8 24 6.2 5.9 2.4
509 |Other Durable | 5.8 8.0 5.8 79 W7 0.9 27 2.2 7.0 5.9 3.4
51 Nondurable 1.9 2.2 1.9 2.2 0.6 0.5 1.0 1.3 1.8 1.5 0.8
511 |Paper 49 5.1 48 5.0 1 0.6 2.8 25 48 3.9 2.3
512 |Drugs 6.4 48 6.3 4.8 0.9 0.7 25 1.6 7.2 6.3 3.6
513 |Apparel 5.3 77 5.1 7.6 2.0 1 3.0 2.6 5.5 6.0 37
514 |Groceries 3.0 5.4 3.0 5.5 0.7 0.6 wd 1.2 2.8 2.5 0.9
515 |Farm-products 6.1 8.1 6.0 81 2.0 1.7 2.7 4.0 5.5 6.2 2.2
516 |Chemicals 5.7 6.0 5.8 6.0 14 0.6 2.0 1.9 5.3 6.2 1.4
517 |Petroleum 6.1 16.0 | 59 | 156 | 09 1.0 19 7 70 7.0 13
518 | Alcohol 6.4 8.7 6.4 8.7 15 1.3 1.6 | 16.9 6.4 6.4 2.4
519 |Other Nondur. | 6.4 6.5 6.3 6.6 2.0 i 3.9 44 6.6 6.2 4.0

Note: The median measures of variability are based on the most recent 12 months of data.

Sample Design and Reliability of Data

There are two types of errors possible in an estimate
based on a sample survey: sampling and nonsampling.

Sampling errors occur because observations are made on
a sample, not on the entire population, and different
samples could have led to different estimates. Standard
errors and coefficients of variation, as calculated for this
report, are measures of sampling variation. The margin
of sampling error, as used on page 1, gives a range
about the estimate which is a 90% confidence interval.
lf, for example, the trend estimate is up 1.2% and the
standard error is 0.9%, then the margin of sampling
error is £1.65 x 0.9% or +1.5%, and the 90%
confidence interval is -0.3% to +2.7%. If the interval
contains O, it cannot be stated with certainty whether
there was an increase or decrease. For monthly level,
the coefficient of variation (CV) is given. The resulting
confidence interval is the estimated value £1.65 x CV x
{the estimated value).

Nonsampling errors are usually attributed to many
possible sources: (1) coverage error - failure to
accurately represent all population units in the sample,

U.S. Census Bureau, the Official Statistics" March 9, 1999

(2) inability to obtain information about all sample cases,
(3) response errors, possibly due to definitional
difficulties or misreporting, (4) mistakes in recording or
coding the data obtained, and (5) other errors of
collection or processing, or in imputing for missing or
inconsistent data. Coverage error has an effect on the
accuracy of estimates for this survey to the extent that
the administrative records system, which forms the basis
of our survey universe frame, does not contain all legal
businesses. A major source of nonsampling error in the
published estimates is due to the need to impute data for
nonrespondents and for late and inconsistent reports.
For all kinds of businesses combined, imputed data
amount to about 26 percent of the total monthly
wholesale sales estimates and 28 percent of the total
monthly wholesale inventories estimates.

Nonsampling errors also occur in complete censuses.
Although no direct measures of these errors have been
obtained, precautionary steps were taken in all phases of
the collection, processing, and tabulation of the data to
minimize their influence.


Table 1. Estimated Monthly Sales, Inventories, and Inventories/Sales Ratios of Merchant Wholesalers: 1999 and 1998

{In millions of dollars]

Sales Inventories Inventories/Sales
Monthly Percent change Monthly Percent change Ratios

sic’ Kind of Oct. Sep. Oct. | Oct./| Sep./}Oct. 99} Oct. Sep. Oct. | Oct./| Sep./}Oct. 99] Oct. } Sep. | Oct.
code} Business | 1999 | 1999 | 1998 | Sep. | Aug. |Oct.98| 1999 | 1999 | 1998 | Sep. | Aug. |Oct. 98] 1999] 1999 | 1998
{p) {r) (r) {p) () () (2) Gr

Adjusted’
U.S. Total | 232,814] 231,135] 211,499} 0.7] 0.6] 10.1] 299,396] 298,469] 284,073] 0.3) 1.0 5.4) 1.29] 1.29] 1.34
50 | Durable 123,907/ 123,276} 112,640] 0.5] 0.4) 10.0} 194,763} 193,558) 185,941] 0.6] 0.8) 4.7] 1.57] 1.57] 1.65
501 |Automotive 20,062} 19,450] 16,884) 3.1) 1.3) 18.8] 28,678] 28,582] 26,172) 0.3] 1.3] 9.6] 1.43] 1.47] 1.55
502 |Furniture 4,239) 4,126] 3,866] 2.7) -26, 9.6] 6,375 6,136] 6,110] 3.9] O05] 4.3] 1.50] 1.491 1.58
503 |Lumber 8,701) 8,790) 7,804) -1.0} 1.9) 11.5} 9,158) 9,028] 8,200] 1.4] 1.4) 11.7) 1.05} 1.03] 1.05
504 |Prof. equip. 23,085] 23,119] 21,419] -0.1] -0.41 7.8] 26,030] 25,580] 26,347] 1.8) 1.3|  -1.21 1.13] 1.11] 1.23
505 |Metals 7,766| 7,550) 7,726] 2.9) -0.2) 0.5] 12,902] 12,764] 13,669] 1.1] 0.8] -5.6| 1.66 1.69| 1.77
506 |Electrical 20,055 19,858] 17,997] 1.0] 1.1} 11.4] 28,803] 28,135] 26,028) 2.4] 21] 10.7] 1.44) 1.42] 1.45
507 |Hardware 6,581 6,616] 6,340] -0.5] -3.3| 3.8] 13,173| 13,165] 13,252] 0.1) 0.2| -0.6| 2.00] 1.99 2.09
508 |Machinery 20,527} 20,736] 19,625] -1.0] -0.6] 4.6] 51,335] 51,915] 48,904) -1.1] -0.2 5.0] 2.50] 2.50] 2.49

509 |Other Durable | 12,891] 13,032) 10,980] -1.1] 28] 17.4] 18,309] 18,253| 17,259] 0.3] 1.0} 6.1] 1.42) 1.40) 1.57
51 | Nondurable | 108,907] 107,859] 98,859} 1.0) 0.8/ 10.2] 104,633] 104,911] 98,132] -0.3] 1.3] 6.6) 0.96] 0.97] 0.99

511 |Paper 8,551] 8,496) 7,730] 0.6| 1.4) 10.6] 10,023} 10,063] 9,232) -0.4) 0.3} 86) 1.17] 1.18] 1.19
512 |Drugs 12,294] 12,367] 10,731] -0.6] 0.1] 14.6] 18,024) 17,541) 14,562} 28} 1.1] 23.8] 1.47] 1.42] 1.36
513 |Apparel 7,783] 7,696] 7,216} 1.1) 0.7] 7.9] 11,384] 11,404 12,735 -0.2) -1.2] -10.6] 1.46] 1.48] 1.76
514 |Groceries 31,205] 31,030] 29,333} 0.6, 1.6 6.4] 18,739] 18,546 16,875] 1.0/ 0.6] 11.0] 0.60] 0.60] 0.58
515 |Farm-products} 8,419] 8,246) 8,821] 21] 0.8) -4.6| 11,532) 12,719] 11,036 -9.3} 68] 45] 1.37] 1.54] 1.25
516 |Chemicals 4,429} 4,403) 4,597) 0.6] -0.2} -3.7) 4,703] 4,707] 4,873| -0.1] 0.4] 3.5 1.06] 1.07] 1.06
517 |Petroleum 13,227) 13,290] 9,936] -0.6] 0.8/ 33.1) 3,932) 4,059] 4,095] -3.1] 0.4) -4.0] 0.30] 0.31] 0.41
518 |Alcohol 5,797] 5,650] 5,307, 26) 1.1 9.2} 6,365} 6,339} 6,039} 0.4|  -2.7] 5.4) 1.10) 1.12) 1.14
519 |Other Nondur. | 17,202] 16,681} 15,188] 3.1] -0.1] 13.3] 19,931) 19,533] 18,685] 20] 24] 6.7] 1.16] 1.17] 1.23
Not_Adi Sales to date
1999 1998
U.S. Total | 237,790) 237,320] 222,269} 0.2 7.0] 302,145) 292,712) 286,558} 3.2} 0.8 5.4] 2,241,811] 2,110,248
‘60 | Durable 128,112] 128,581} 119,632} -0.4| 7.1) 194,352) 192,697] 185,559} 0.9] 0.2} —4.7| 1,203,897] 1,136,005
501 |Automotive 20,182] 18,925] 17,441] 6.6] 18.7] 28,735] 28,210} 26,198] 1.9] 28]  9.7| 188,150] 168,234
502 [Furniture 4,476] 4,353] 4,226 2.8] 5.9] 6515] 6,351 6,226] 26] 0.3, 4.6/ 40,811] 39,737
503 |Lumber 9,188} 9,363] 8,452| | -1.3 87] 8,828] 9,019] 7,905] -2.1] 0.2, 11.7} 86,901] 77,163
504 |Prof. equip. 23,316| 25,015] 22,297] -6.8] 4.6] 26,290] 25,247] 26,584) 4.11 0.4) -1.1| 223,333] 213,174
505 |Metals 7,928] 7,663] 8,049] 3.5] -1.5] 12,644] 12,624) 13,409] 0.2} -0.1/ -6.7| 77,523] 81,652
506 |Electrical 21,519] 21,526] 19,635] 0.0 9.6) 28,371) 28,304] 25,638} 0.2} 0.2} 10.7] 192,276] 176,815
507 |Hardware 6,989} 6,914] 6,885] 1.1 1.5] 12,949] 13,073} 13,053] -0.9) -0.5] -0.8] 68,142] 64,917
508 |Machinery 20,281) 20,445] 20,1741 -0.8) 0.5] 50,924) 61,032] 48,562} -0.2} -1.6 4.9] 203,688] 202,204

509 |Other Durable | 14,232) 14,387] 12,473] -1.1
51 | Nondurable | 109,678) 108,739) 102,637] 0.9}

14.1] 19,096] 18,837} 17,984) 1.4) 1.8] 6.2) 123,173) 112,109
6.9] 107,793] 100,015] 100,999} 7.8} 2.2 6.7} 1,037,914] 974,243

511 |Paper 8,816] 8,938) 8,093] | -1.4) 8.9] 10,033] 9,892} 9,260) 1.4 0.2] 8.3] 81,635 74,968
512 |Drugs 12,306] 12,540) 11,096] | -1.9] 10.9] 18,294] 17,208] 14,795] 6.3] 1.8| 23.6] 119,086] 101,756
513 |Apparel 8,484] 8,735] 8,147] -2.9) 4.1] 11,304 11,438] 12,620) -1.2} -2.8] -10.4| 78,146] 57,598
514 |Groceries 31,174] 30,937} 30,272] 0.8] 3.0] 19,695] 18,583| 17,753] 6.0] 2.3) 10.9] 299,078] 287,564
515 |Farm-products| 9,000] 8,073] 9,650] 11.5| -6.7| 13,700} 9,234] 12,978] 48.4) 11.1] 5.6] 82,014] 88,322
516 |Chemicals 4,456] 4,368] 4,744] 2.0 -6.1) 4,609] 4,622} 4,776] -0.3| -1.31  -3.5] 44,176] 46,323
517 | Petroleum 13,372] 13,064} 10,274] 2.4) 30,2) 4,097} 4,112) 4,259} -0.4) 3.1] -3.8] 117,374] 100,659
518 | Alcohol 5,814] 5,803] 6,583] 0.2) 4.1) 6,887| 6,624) 6,546, 4.0] 1.5] 5.2) 54,115] 60,219

519 |Other Nondur. | 16,256| 16,281] 14,778| _-0.2| 10.0| 19,174 18,302} 18,012} 4.8} 3.4] 6.5] 162,290] 151,098

P Preliminary estimate. Revised.

1 For a full description of the SIC codes shown above, see the "1987 Standard Industrial Classification Manual” or the Current Business Reports
“Annual Benchmark Report for Wholesale Trade” publication.

2 Data adjusted for seasonal variations and, in the case of sales, also for trading-day differences. See Table 3 for seasonal adjustment factors used.

US. Census Bureau


Table 1. Estimated Monthly Sales, Inventories, and Inventories/Sales Ratios of Merchant Wholesalers: 1999 and 1998

[In millions of dollars)

Sales Inventories inventories/sales
Monthly Percent change Monthly Percent change ratios
sic* Kind of Jul. | Jun | Ju | Jus | Jun ]Jul. 99) Jul. [ Jun, | Jul | July | Jun] Jul. 99} Jul. | Jun. | Jul.
code | Business 1999 | 1999 | 1998 | Jun. | May | Jul. 98} 1999 | 1999 | 1998 | Jun. | May | Jul. 98] 1999 | 1999 | 1998
{p) (r) (r) (p) (r) {r) (p) | (|
Adjusted”
U.S. Total | 227,299] 227,863) 211,665] -0.2) 1.8] 7.4| 293,934] 291,367| 279,067} 0.9) 0.4) 5.3] 1.29] 1.28] 1.32
50 | Durable 121,967| 121,785] 114,137) 0.1) 1.4 6.9] 192,439] 190,837] 182,331] 0.8) 0.6) 5.5] 1.58] 1.57] 1.60
501 |Automotive 19,421] 18,9611 16,932] 2.4| 24] 14.7] 27,973] 27,678] 25,028] 1.1] 0.3] 11.8) 1.44) 1.46) 1.48
502 [Furniture 4,270] 4,124) 3,980) 3.5] 1.5 7.3) 6,197} 6,085} 6,026] 1.8) 2.1 2.8) 1.45] 1.48] 1.51
503 |Lumber 8,966] 8,827, 7,761] 1.6] 2.2} 15.5] 8,961] 8,700] 8,310] 3.0] 0.2] - 7.8| 1.00] 0.99) 1.07
504 |Prof. equip. 22,701| 22,708] 21,496] 0.0] 0.5] 5.6] 25,417] 25,480] 27,116] -0.2} 0.8} -6.3| 1.12] 1.12) 1.26
505 |Metals 7,660] 7,622| 8,140 o.7| 6.9] 12,842] 12,938] 13,226] -0.7} 0.0] -2.9) 1.68) 1.70} 1.62
606 {Electrical 19,434) 19,427] 17,604 2.3] 10.4] 27,422| 26,530] 25,632) 3.4] 0.5] 7.4| 1.41] 1.37) 1.45
507 |Hardware 6,718] 6,791] 6,516 -2.4| 3.1] 13,390] 13,300] 13,1911 0.7] 0.8] 1.5] 1.99] 1.96] 2.02
508 |Machinery 20,309} 20,625] 20,177] 1.8] 0.7} 52,307] 52,040] 47,300] 0.5] 1.0} 10.6] 2.58] 2.52) 2.34
609 |Other Durable | 12,488] 12,700] 11,531 1.8] 8.3] 17,930] 18,086] 16,602] -0.9] -0.2] 8.0} 1.44] 1.42] 1.44
51 | Nondurable | 105,332) 106,078| 97,528 21 8.0] 101,495) 100,530| 96,736] 1.0] 0.0) 4.3) 0.96) 0.95) 0.99
511 |Paper 8,183, 8,247] 7,518 0.6] 8.8] 9,914] 9,887] 9,357] 0.3{ 2.1) 6.0} 1.21] 1.20] 1.24
512 |Drugs 12,263| 12,377] 10,372 24) 18.1] 17,431] 17,217] 14,300] 1.2) 2.7] 21.9] 1.42] 1.39] 1.38
513 |Apparel 7,552) 7,772| 7,012 -1.8} 11,502] 11,517] 12,618} -0.1] -3.1] -8.8] 1.52] 1.48] 1.80
514 |Groceries 29,853] 29,696] 29,213] “18 18,104) 17,693| 17,136] 2.3) -1.5] 5.6] 0.61] 0.60) 0.59
515 |Farm-products| 8,525] 8,916) 8,802] 3.2 10,789] 10,768| 9,845] 0.2} -2.6] 9.6] 1.27) 1.21] 1.12
516 |Chemicals 4,428) 4,473] 4,533 4.2) 4,809] 4,771| 4,872] 0.8] 0.1] -1.3] 1.09) 1.07] 1.07
517 |Petroleum 12,947| 12,344] 10,271 3.8 4,131] 4,116] 4,285] 0.4] 6.4] -3.6| 0.32] 0.33) 0.42
518 {Alcohol 5,405] 5,535] 5,108] 1.6} 6,540] 6,439) 5,793] 1.6} -4.5} 12.9) 1.21) 1.16) 1.13
519 |Other Nondur. | 16,186] 16,718] 14,699] 10.1 18,275| 18,122| 18,630] 0.8] 1.9] -1.4] 1.13] 1.08] 1.26
Not Adjusted Sales to date
1999 1998
U.S. Total | 225,372] 237.528) 214,065] 5.1] 7.1] 5.3] 292,310] 287,924] 277,765| 1.5] -0.1] 5.2] 1,533,178) 1,463,050
50 | Durable 121,609] 128,643/ 115,715] -5.5| 9.8] 5.1] 194,608] 191,607] 184,468] 0.2} 5.5] 821,472] 785,199
501 |Automotive 19,673| 20,175] 17,305] -2.5| 8.7} 13.7] 27,749] 27,346] 24,828] -1.5] 11.8] 130,244] 117,024
502 |Furniture 4,176] 4,157] 3,956] 0.5] 5.6] 5.6] 6,358) 6,182) 6,183 4.2] 27,591] 27,288
503 |Lumber 9,674| 9,913] 8,591] -2.4| 12.7) 12.6| 9,221] 8,987] 8,526) 0.7] 58,872} 52,123
504 |Prof. equip. 22,247) 24,1611 21,539] -7.9] 14.4] 3.3) 25,697] 25,327] 27,441 0.6} 151,675] 146,364
505 |Metals 7,438] 8,034] 8,042) -7.4| 7.9} -7.5| 12,958] 12,977] 13,345 -0.1 84,167| 57,519
506 |Electrical 19,416| 20,107] 17,991] -3.4| 11.5] 7.9] 28,190) 27,061] 26,247] 19 128,657) 120,360
507 |Hardware 7.168] 7,538) 7,096} -4.9| 10.0] 1.0] 13,444] 13,486] 13,244) -0.2) 47,023| 44,840
508 |Machinery 19,842] 21,883| 20,056] -9.3| 6.5} -1.1] 52,882] 52,300] 47,820} -0.3 .6| 141,777) 142,554
609 |Other Durable | 11,976] 12,675] 11,139] -5.5| 7.1] 7.5] 18,109] 17,941] 16,834) -0.3| 7.6] 81,460) 77,127
51 | Nondurable | 103,763] 108,882) 98,350] -4.7| 4.0 8.5] 97,702) 96,317) 93,297 -0.7| 4.7) 711,706] 677,851
511 [Paper 7,798] 8,280] 7,428] -6.8| 8.1] 5.0] 9,924) 9,699) 9,366] 2.3] 23] 6.0] 54,996) 51,011
512 |Drugs 11,812] 12,352] 10,331] -4.4] 8.2) 14.3] 17,204] 16,683] 14,114] 3.1] 4.21 21.9] 81,974] 70,107
513 |Apparel 7,824) 7,788) 7,461] 0.5| 18.1] 4.9] 11,847} 11,701| 12,997] 1.2) 1.0] -8.8] 52,519] 50,056.
514 |Groceries 30,569] 30,438] 30,235] 0.4) -2.2} 1.1) 18,068} 17,481] 17,102} 3.4] -2.1] 5.6] 205,903] 199,134
515 |Farm-products| 7,367| 8,497} 7,878] -13.4] 3.1] -6.6] 7,962) 8,324) 7,285] -4.31 -9.3| 9.3] 57,462] 62,394
516 |Chemicals 4,415) 4,884/ 4,628] -9.6] 11.7) -4.6| 4,838] 4,738) 4,887) 2.1] -1.9] -1.0] 30,7821 32,520
517 |Petroleum 12,763| 12,159] 10,363] 4.9] 2.8] 23.1) 4,011] 3,939] 4,169] 1.8] 1.8| -3.8] 77,800] 71,136
518 |Alcohol 5,551] 6,144] 5,445] -9.7) 10.5] 1.9| 6,651] 6,536] 5,903] 1.8) 0.2] 12.7] 36,596] 34,004
519 |Other Nondur. | 15,684] 18,340} 14,581] -14.5] 2.8] 7.6] 17,197) 17,216] 17,474] -0.1] -2.7] -1.6] 113,674] 107,489
p Preliminary estimate. r Revised.

1 For a full description of the SIC codes shown above, see the "1987 Standard Industrial Classification Manual" or the Current Business Reports
“Annual Benchmark Report for Wholesale Trade" publication,

2 Data adjusted for seasonal variations and, in the case of sales, also for trading-day differences. See Table 3 for seasonal adjustment factors used.

‘U.S. Census Bureau


Table 1. Estimated Monthly Sales, Inventories, and Inventories/Sales Ratios of Merchant Wholesalers: 1999 and 1998

IIn millions of dollars}

Sales Inventories Inventories/Sales
Monthly Percent change Monthly Percent change ratios

sic’ Kind of Jan, Dec. | Jan. | Jan./ | Dec./ jJan. 99) Jan. Dec. | Jan. | Jan./| Dec./ |Jan. 99} Jan. | Dec. | Jan.
code business 1999 | 1998 | 1998 | Dec. | Nov. |Jan. 98] 1999 | 1998 | 1998 | Dec. | Nov. |Jan. 98) 1999 | 1998 | 1998
{p) (r) (n (p) (r) {r) (p) | tn) |

Adjusted”
U.S. Total |215,287|217,403|210,954| -1.0] 1.2} 2.1] 286,262]286,962]272,344] -0.2| 1.33] 1.32) 1.29
50 | Durable 113,920] 113,945/111,921] 0.0] 1.4] 1.8] 187,698] 187,541] 178,614] 0.1 1.65] 1.65] 1.60
501 |Automotive 19,524] 19,590] 18,185] -0.3} -0.4] 7.4] 28,919] 29,504] 29,189] -2.0] 1.48] 1.51) 1.61
502 |Furniture 3,334] 3,334] 3,521] 0.0] -2.1] -5.3) 5,606] 5,633] 5,533] -0.5 1.68| 1.69] 1.57
503 |Lumber 7,923] 7,990] 7,559] -0.8) 1.3} 4.8] 7,609} 7,487] 7,857] 1.6 0.96] 0.94) 1.04
604 |Prof. equip. 21,070] 21,559| 20,732] -2.3] 5.1 1.6] 24,210] 24,414] 26,367] -0.8 1.18] 1.13) 1.27
505 |Metals 8,607} 8,374] 8,926] 2.8] 0.3] -3.6] 14,691] 14,746] 14,025] -0.4 1.71] 1.76) 1.57
506 |Electrical 17,431] 17,290] 16,817] 0.8] 0.5} 3.7] 27,709] 27,753) 25,572] -0.2 1.59) 1.61] 1.52
507 |Hardware 6,742 6,711| 6,680] 0.5] 0.8] 0.9] 13,674] 13,601] 12,692} 0.5 2.03} 2.03] 1.90
508 |Machinery 18,157] 18,437] 18,401] -1.5| 0.4] -1.3| 48,293] 47,665] 41,639] 1.3 2.66) 2.59] 2.26

509 {Other Durable | 11,132] 10,660) 11,100) 4.4) 3.4) 0.3] 16,987] 16,738] 15,740] 1.5
51 | Nondurable | 101,367) 103,458] 99,033] -2.0) 0.9] 2.4] 98,564] 99,421) 93,730] -0.9|

1.53} 1.57] 1.42
0.97] 0.96) 0.95

511 |Paper 8,035] 7,989] 7,341 0.6} 1.0] 9.5| 9,188] 9,334] 8,677] -1.6 114] 17] 1.18
512 |Drugs 11,895] 12,231] 10,510) 6.0] 13.2] 15,742] 15,654] 13,693) 0.6] 1,32] 1.28] 1.30
513 |Apparel 7,036] 6,861) 7,181 0.3) -2.0) 11,799) 12,171] 12,222] -3.1 1.68} 1.77] 1.70
514 |Groceries 28,661] 28,918] 27,482 -1.0] 3.9] 16,101] 16,121] 15,915] -0.1 0.56| 0.56] 0.58

515 |Farm-products| 8,205] 9,130| 9,997] -10.1) 2.7] -17.9] 12,183] 12,427] 11,516] | -2.2
516 |Chemicals 4,487| 4,539] 4,780] -0.4]  -6.1] 5,227] 5,168] 4,957] 1.1
517 |Petroleum 11,582] 11,311{ 11,991] 2.4] -5.4) -3.4) 4,100] 4,035] 4,654) 1.6)
518 |Alcohol 5,135] 5,018) 4,595) 2.3) 1.6] 11.8| 5,576) 5,478} 5,000) 1.8 1.09] 1.09] 1.09
519 jOther Nondur. | 16,431) 17,461] 15,156] -5.9} 4.6] 8.4] 18,678) 19,033] 17,096] -1.9 4.14] 1.09} 1.13

Not Adjusted Sales to date

1999 1998
U.S. Total | 195,414} 221,375] 197,512] -11.7] 6.5] -1.1| 291,561] 287,683] 277,486} 1.3) -0.1] 5.1] 195,414) 197,512

50 | Durable 100,920} 115,283] 102,010} -12.5

1.48] 1.36] 1.15
1.16] 1.14] 1.04
0.35] 0.36} 0.39

187,170| 184,613] 178,252) 1.4) 0.0] 5.0] 100,920] 102,010

501 |Automotive 16,966] 20,295] 16,330] -16.4 29,353] 28,589) 29,627| 2.7} -0.1] -0.9) 16,966] 16,330
502 [Furniture 2,897] 3,401) 3,151] -14.8 5,494] 5,498] 5,422) -0.1) -1.5] 1.3[ 2,897] 3,151
503 |Lumber 6,505] 7,103] 6,365] -8.4] 7,434) 7,217] 7,692] 3.01 -1.8| -3.4] 6,505 6,365
504 |Prof. equip. 19,174} 23,348) 19,467] -17.9) 24,428) 24,390] 26,631] 0.2) -3.8] -8.3] 19,174] 19,467
505 |Metals 8,185] 7,922| 8,658] 3.3 14,823] 14,893] 14,165| -0.5] 2.71 4.6] 8,185 8,658
506 [Electrical 15,531] 17,117] 16,287]  -9.3] 27,598) 27,115] 25,470] 1.8} 0.0] 8.4) 15,531] 15,287
507 |Hardware 5,926] 6,322] 5,985| -6.3 13,442| 13,370] 12,476| 0.5] 0.7} 7.7 5,926 6,985
508 |Machinery 16,196] 18,806] 17,021] -13.9| 47,713] 47,188] 41,139} 1.1] 2.3) 16.0] 16,196] 17,021
509 |Other Durable | 9,540] 10,969] 9,746] -13.0| 16,885] 16,353} 15,630] 3.3] -2.0] 8.0] 9,540 9,746
51 | Nondurable | 94,494) 106,092] 95,502] -10.9 104,391] 103,070] 99,234] 1.3] -0.2} 5.2) 94,494] 95,502
511 |Paper 7,874| 8,093] 7,341] -2.7 9,363) 9,577) 8,851] -2.2) 1.5) 5.8] 7,874 7,341
512 |Drugs 11,931] 12,892] 10,825] -7.5} 16,875] 15,967| 14,679] 5.7} 3.0) 15.0] 11,931) 10,828
513 |Apparel 6,438] 5,660] 6,779] 13.7 12,283) 12,266] 12,711] 0,2] . 3.5] -3.4) 6,438 6,779
514 |Groceries 26,676] 29,843| 26,465] -10.6 16,085] 16,218] 15,915] -0.8] -3.8| 1.1] 26,676] 26,465
515 |Farm-products | 8,658] 10,536] 10,777] -18.8| 15,459) 15,347} 14,706] 0.7| -2.8) 5.1 8,558] 10,777
516 |Chemicals 4,186) 4,258] 4,594] 1.7] 5,222] 56,163] 4,947] 1.1] 1.0] 5.6] 4,186 4,594
517 |Petroleum 11,513] 11,865] 12,147] -3.0} 4,178) 4,233) 4,719) -1.31 -1,7) -11.5) 11,513] 12,147
518 {Alcohol 3,779) 5,886] 3,570] -35.8 5,202] 5,029] 4,670} 3.4] -16.6] 11.4] 3,79 3,570

519 {Other Nondur. | 13,539] 17,059] 13,004] -20.6|

19,724] 19,280) 18,036] 2.3] 4.8] 9.4 13,539] 13,004

P Preliminary estimate. r Revised.

1 For a full description of the SIC Codes shown above see the "1987 Standard Industrial Classification Manual” or the Current Business Reports
“Annual Benchmark Report for Wholesale Trade” publication.

2 Data adjusted for seasonal variations and, in the case of sales, also for trading-day differences. See Table 3 for seasonal adjustment factors used.

U.S. Census Bureau, the Official Statistics” March 9, 1999


Table 1. Estimated Monthly Sales, Inventories, and Inventories/Sales Ratios of Merchant Wholesalers: 1999 and 1998
{In millions of dotlars]

Sales Inventories Inventories/Sales
Monthly Percent change Monthly Percent change Ratios

sic* Kind of Sep. | Aug. | Sep. ] Sep./| Aug./|Sep. 99] Sep. | Aug. | Sep. | Sep./| Aug./|Sep. 99] Sep. | Aug. | Sep.
code| Business | 1999 | 1999 | 1998 | Aug.| Jul. |Sep.98] 1999 | 1999 | 1998 | Aug. | Jul. |Sep. 98] 1999| 1999 | 1998
{p) (nr) {n (p) {n (n) (pe) | i) | ©)

adi
U.S. Total | 230,916] 229,827] 211,305, 0.5] 1.1} 9.3] 297,770] 295,558] 284,138 0.7} 0.5] 4.8] 1.29] 1.29) 1.34
50 | Durable 123,209] 122,834] 113,016] 0.3] 0.7] —_9.0| 193,715] 191,956] 185,139] 0.9} 0.2] 4.6) 1.57 1.56] 1.64
501 | Automotive 19,283] 19,197] 17,317] 0.4) 0.3] 11.4| 28,749) 28,202] 25,603] 1.9] 0.4| 12.3 1.49] 1.47] 1.48
502 {Furniture 4,129] 4,237| 3,997] -2.6] -0.9] 3.3| 6,105] 6,103] 6,013) 0.0] -1.3] 1.5, 1.48] 1.44] 1.50
503 |Lumber 8,796 8,625] 7,649] 2.0] -2.4 15.0} 9,044} 8,902] 8,148] 1.6 0.1] 11.0] 1.03} 1.03] 1.07
504 |Prof. equip. 23,196] 23,207) 21,452) 0.0] 2.2) 8.1) 25,535) 25,252) 26,730] 1.1) -0.5] -4.5] 1.10] 1.09} 1.25
505 |Metals 7,494) 7,565] 7,958] -0.9| -1.6]  -5.8] 12,746] 12,664] 13,661] 0.6 -1.1]  -6.7) 1.70] 1.67 1.72
506 | Electrical 19,851] 19,633| 17,479] 1.1] 0.6] 13.6] 28,109] 27,568] 25,997) 2.0, 0.4) 8.1] 1.42] 1.40] 1.49
507 |Hardware 6621} 6,841] 6,314] -3.2] 1.5] 4.9] 13,178] 13,144) 13,240] 0.3] -1.7| -0.5] 1.99] 1.92) 2.10
508 |Machinery 20,856] 20,858] 20,299) 0.0] 1.9} 2.7] 52,025} 52,042) 48,498] 0.0] -0.4| 7.3] 2.49] 2.50) 2.39

509 |Other Durable | 12,983) 12,671] 10,551{ 2.5) 0.9] 23.0] 18,224] 18,079) 17,249] 0.8) 1.0) 5.7} 1.40] 1.43) 1.63
51 | Nondurable | 107,707) 106,993] 98,289] 0.7] 1.5] 9.6] 104,055] 103,602} 98,999] 0.4, 1.9) 5.1] 0.97] 0.97] 1.01

511 |Paper 8,496) 8,382] 7,704, 1.3) 2.21 10.3] 10,076] 10,035} 9,408] 0.41 1.1] 7.1] 1.19] 1.20] 1.22
512 |Drugs 12,396] 12,352) 10,5241 0.4] 0.7! 17.8) 17,227) 17,368] 14,383] -0.8] -0.3] 19.8] 1.39] 1.41] 1.37
513 |Apparel 7,703] 7,646) 6,734] 0.8| 1.9] 14.5] 11,559) 11,548) 12,721] 0.11 o.of -9.1) 1.50) 1.51] 1.89
514 |Groceries 31,029] 30,553] 29,215] 1.6 20 6.2) 18,438] 18,440] 17,097] 0.0] 1.7| 7.81 0.59] 0.60| 0.59
515 |Farm-products| 8,204] 8,182] 8,728, 0.3] -28) -6.0] 12,183] 11,905] 11,293] 23] 10.5] 7.9] 1.49] 1.46] 1.29
516 |Chemicals 4404) 4,413} 4,493] -0.2} -0.6] -2.0] 4,718] 4,690] 4,917) 0.6] -2.4] -4.0} 1.07} 1.06] 1.09
517 |Petroleum 13,281] 13,180 10,005] 0.8] 3.2| 32.7] 4,094] 4,042} 4,352] 1.3] -2.5| -6.9] 0.31] 0.31] 0.43
518 | Alcohol 5,626] 5,586] 5,395] 07) 26 4.3) 6,347| 6,517] 6,006) -2.6|  -0.2| 5.7) 1.13) 1.17) 1.14
519 |Other Nondur. | 16,563) 16,699] 15,491] -0.8] 2.1 6.9] 19,413] 19,067] 18,822) 1.8) 3.8] 3.11.17] 4.14) 1.22
Not Adjusted Sales to date
1999 1998
U.S. Total | 236,937] 233,790] 216,827] 1.3] 3.9] 9.3] 292,729} 290,275] 279,244) 0.8] 2,003,638] 1,887,979
50 | Durable 128,364] 125,871] 118,172} 2.0] 3.6] —_8.6| 192,969] 192,366] 184,305| 0.3] 1,075,568) 1,016,373
501 | Automotive 18,820] 19,216) 17,075] -2.1]  -0.2] 10.2) 28,433] 27,441] 25,2701 3.6 167,863) 150,793
502 |Furniture 4,362} 4,398} 4,161] -1.0] 5.5} 4.6] 6,343] 6,335] 6,241] 0.1 36,334] 35,511
503 |Lumber 9,360] 9,608] 8,223] -2.7| 0.6] 13.7] 9,053 9,000] 8,156] 0.6} 77,710) 68,711
504 |Prof. equip. 25,052} 23,300] 23,147) 7.5] 4.6 8.2) 25,254] 25,151) 26,409] 0.4] 200,054) 190,877
505 |Metals 7,621) 7,731) 8,173] -1.4] 3.5 12,619] 12,639} 13,511] | -0.2| 69,552| 73,603
506 |Electrical 21,558] 20,516) 19,087) 5.1] 5.4) 12.9] 28,306] 28,257] 26,179] 0.2 170,789} 157,180
507 |Hardware 6,886] 7,210) 6,668] -4.5] 0.6 3.3] 13,099} 13,144) 13,161] -0.3| 61,125] 58,032
608 |Machinery 20,522) 20,879} 20,116, -1.7} 4.1] 2.0] 51,037] 51,886, 47,577] -1.6| 183,384) 182,030

609 |Other Durable | 14,203] 13,013] 11,522] 9.1] 7.9] 23.3] 18.825] 18,513| 17,801] 1.7]
51 | Nondurable | 108,573| 107,919] 98,655] 0.6| 4.1) 10.1] 99,760] 97,909] 94,939] 1.9]

108,757] 99,636
928,070] 871,606

511 |Paper 8,945} 8,868] 8,174! 0.9] 13.5] 9.4] 9,895] 9,874] 9,239] 0.2] 72,826) 66,875
512 |Drugs 12,645) 12,241] 10,777] 2.5} 3.4) 16.4] 16,917] 16,907| 14,138] 0.1 106,785| 90,660
513 | Apparel 8,703] 8,433} 7,589] 3.2) 8.1] 14.7] 11,651] 11,767] 12,835] | -1.0 69,630] 57,598
514 | Groceries 30,967] 31,011] 28,864) -0.1] 1.3] 7.3] 18,512! 18,163) 17,182] 1.9] 267,934] 257,292
515 |Farm-products| 8,065] 7,495] 8,597) 7.6) 21 9,174] 8,310] 8,470} 10.4 73,006) 78,672
516 |Chemicals 4,364] 4,567] 4,506] -4.4] 3.4] 4,633] 4,681] 4,824] -1.0) 39,716] 41,579
517 |Petroleum 13,029] 13,430] 9,835] -3.0] 7.8 4,123] 3,989] 4,382] 3.4] 103,967| 90,385,
518 | Alcohol 5,806] 5,860] 5,519} -0.9} 4.8 6,626} 6,524 6,270] 1.6 48,304, 44,636

519 |Other Nondur. | 16,149] 16,014] 14,794] 0.8} 1.7 9.2] 18,229} 17,694] 17,699] _ 3.0}

145,902] 136,320

P Preliminary estimate. r Revised.

1 For a full description of the SIC codes shown above, see the "1987 Standard Industrial Classification Manual" or the Current Business Reports
“Annual Benchmark Report for Wholesale Trade” publication.

2 Data adjusted for seasonal variations and, in the case of sales, also for trading-day differences. See Table 3 for seasonal adjustment factors used.

U.S. Census Bureau


Table 2. Coefficients of Variation and Standard Error for Sales and Inventories

Coefficients of
Coefficients of variation for level Standard error for trend variation for level Standard error
(x 100) for trend
as Ratio of two {x-100)
sic Kind of Business Prefiminary Final estimates consecutive Ye rto-year Cumulative sales Current year
code estimates month: estimates estimates cumulative
Sales Inv. Sales Inv. Sales Inv. Sales Inv. Current | Previous _t
previous year
Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Median | Ye year cumulative
U.S. Total 1.4 1.5 1.3 1.5 0.4 0.2 0.8 0.6 1.3 1.1 0.6
50 | Durable 1.9 25 1.9 25 0.6 0.3 41 0.8 1.9 21 0.8
501 |Automotive 46 48 47 48 1.2 0.8 2.3 3.1 47 49 1.8
502 |Furniture 6.3 8.1 6.3 7.9 1.9 1.0 2.7 2.3 5.9 6.2 1.7
503 |Lumber 5.7 5.4 5.7 5.3 1.3 0.9 24 3.8 5.6 5.6 1.4
504 |Prof. equip. 6.8 7.0 67 6.8 14 0.8 3.3 2.0 6.6 5.7 3.4
505 |Metals 5.2 10.8 5.1 10.8 1.1 0.7 1.6 21 5.0 5.1 0.9
506 {Electrical 5.5 7.2 5.6 7.3 1.2 0.7 2.5 2.3 5.5 6.2 1.8
507 |Hardware 5.6 6.6 5.6 6.6 1.2 0.7 1.8 2.0 5.7 5.6 0.9
508 |Machinery 6.0 6.7 6.1 6.7 2.2 0.5 2.7 14 5.7 6.5 1.7
509 |Other Durable 6.6 9.8 6.5 9.7 1.6 0.9 2.4 3.0 6.4 5.9 1.5
51 Nondurable 2.2 2.6 241 25 0.5 0.4 0.9 1.3 2.1 1.8 0.6
511 |Paper 6.0 6.2 5.3 51 1.0 0.5 1.8 14 5.9 5.2 1.0
512 |Drugs 6.2 48 6.0 47 0.9 0.6 24 1.6 5.9 6.6 15
513 |Apparel 5.6 7.0 5.4 7A 2.0 1.0 3.2 2.5 5.0 47 1.8
514 |Groceries 3.1 5.1 3.1 5.0 0.7 0.6 1.2 1.8 3.0 3.3 0.7
515 |Farm-products 7.2 8.9 7.0 8.9 2.3 1.5 3.0 4 6.9 5.9 2.3
516 |Chemicals 5.3 6.0 5.4 6.1 1.2 0.9 1.9 2.6 5.2 5.5 1.0
517 |Petroleum 7.0 13.6 7.0 13.6 1.0 14 1.6 1.9 6.6 6.7 1.4
518 Alcohol 5.8 8.4 6.1 8.5 1.6 1.2 1.9 2.0 5.9 6.4 1.4
519 |Other Nondur. 7.0 10.0 6.9 9.1 2.0 11 3.5 4. 7.4 5.6 2.7
Note: The median measures of variability are based on the most recent 12 months of data.

Sample Design and Reliability of Data

There are two types of errors possible in an estimate
based on a sample survey: sampling and nonsampling.

Sampling errors occur because observations are made on
a sample, not on the entire population, and different
samples could have led to different estimates. Standard
errors and coefficients of variation, as calculated for this
report, are measures of sampling variation. The margin
of sampling error, as used on page 1, gives a range
about the estimate which is a 90% confidence interval.
If, for example, the trend estimate is up 1.2% and the
standard error is 0.9%, then the margin of sampling
error is +1.65 x 0.9% or +1.5%, and the 90%
confidence interval is -0.3% to +2.7%. If the interval
contains 0, it cannot be stated with certainty whether
there was an increase or decrease. For monthly level,
the coefficient of variation (CV) is given. The resulting
confidence interval is the estimated value +1.65 x CV x
(the estimated value).

Nonsampling errors are usually attributed to many

possible sources: (1) coverage error - failure to
accurately represent all population units in the sample,

U.S. Census Bureau

(2) inability to obtain information about all sample cases,
(3) response errors, possibly due to definitional
difficulties or misreporting, (4) mistakes in recording or
coding the data obtained, and (5) other errors of
collection or processing, or in imputing for missing or
inconsistent data. Coverage error has an effect on the
accuracy of estimates for this survey to the extent that
the administrative records system, which forms the basis
of our survey universe frame, does not contain all legal
businesses. A major source of nonsampling error in the
published estimates is due to the need to impute data for
nonrespondents and for late and inconsistent reports.
For all kinds of businesses combined, imputed data
amount to about 31 percent of the total monthly
wholesale sales estimates and 32 percent of the total
monthly wholesale inventories estimates.

Nonsampling errors also occur in complete censuses.
Although no direct measures of these errors have been
obtained, precautionary steps were taken in all phases of
the collection, processing, and tabulation of the data to
minimize their influence.


CURRENT BUSINESS REPORTS

U.S. Department of Commerce

Economics and Statistics Administration
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

Monthly Wholesale Trade

Sales and Inventories

August 1999

BW/99-8
Issued October 1999

MONTHLY WHOLESALE TRADE: SALES AND INVENTORIES
AUGUST 1999

Sales. August 1999 sales of merchant wholesalers, after
adjustment for seasonal variations and trading-day differences
but not for price changes, were $229.8 billion, up 1.1 percent
(+/+ 0.6%) from the revised July level and were 9.6 percent
(+/- 1.3%) above the August 1998 level. The July preliminary
estimate was revised downward $0.01 billion. Among durable
goods, sales of hardware, plumbing and heating equipment
increased 2.4 percent from last month and professional and
commercial equipment and supplies grew 2.0 percent. August
sales of nondurable goods increased 1.4 percent (+/-0.8%) from
July and were up 10.9 percent (+/-1.3%) from last year.
Compared to last month, sales of petroleum and petroleum
products increased 3.6 percent and beer, wine, and distilled
alcoholic beverages rose 2.5 percent.

Inventories. Total inventories of merchant wholesalers, after
adjustment for seasonal variations but not for price changes,
were $294.7 billion at the end of August, up 0.3 percent
(+/- 0.3%) from the revised July level and were 4.6 percent
(+4 1.2%) above August 1998. The July preliminary estimate

was revised upward $0.05 billion. End-of-month inventories of
durable goods decreased 0.4 percent (+/-0.3%) from last month
but were 3.9 percent (+/-1.3%) above August 1998. Compared
to last month, inventories of hardware, plumbing and heating
equipment decreased 1.7 percent and professional and
commercial equipment and supplies fell 1.1 percent. End-of-
month inventories of nondurable goods increased 1.6 percent
(+/-0.4%) from July and were up 5.8 percent (+/-2.3 %) from last
year. Inventories of farm-product raw materials were up 8,6
percent from last month and groceries and related products
increased 1.9 percent.

Inventories/Sales Ratio. The August inventories/sales ratio for
merchant wholesalers, based on seasonally adjusted data, was
1.28. The August 1998 ratio was 1.34.

Data in this report are based on a sample and, therefore, are
subject to sampling and nonsampling variability. A discussion
of the reliability of the data and general survey methodology
appears in BW/98-A Current Business Reports.

Monthly Inventories/Sales Ratios of Merchant Wholesalers: 1990 to 1999
(Data adjusted for seasonal and trading-day differences, but not for price changes)

1.40

1.35 -

1.30 +

1.25 -

1.20

1990 1991 1992 1993

1994

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Monthly Wholesale Trade for September is scheduled to be released November 9, 1999, at 10:00 a.m.

Address inquiries concerning this report to Service Sector Statistics Division, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233, or

call Scott Scheleur, 301-457-2779 or 301-457-2764. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402.

This report is available on day of issue through the Department of Commerce’s online Economic Bulletin Board (202-482-1986).
The data are also available on the Internet - http://www.census.gov/svsd/www/mwts.html.


CURRENT BUSINESS REPORTS

; 8 Monthly Wholesale Trade

U.S. Department of Commerce
Economics and Statistics Administration

Sales and Inventories

April 1999
BW/99-4

BUREAU OF THE CENSUS Issued June 1999

MONTHLY WHOLESALE TRADE: SALES AND INVENTORIES
APRIL 1999

Intention to Revise Wholesale Estimates: Monthly wholesale data will be revised based on the results of the 1997 Annual Trade Survey,
which reflects the preliminary 1997 Census of Wholesale Trade data. Unadjusted sales, inventories, and inventories/sales ratios will be
revised for January 1993 through May 1999, while corresponding adjusted data will be revised for January 1990 through May 1999.

Revised data are scheduled for release the week of August 2.

Sales. April 1999 sales of merchant wholesalers, after
adjustment for seasonal variations and trading-day differences
but not for price changes, were $221.9 billion, virtually
unchanged (+/- 0.7%) from the revised March Jevel and were
4.0 percent (+/- 1.8%) above the April 1998 level. The March
preliminary estimate was revised downward $0.4 billion or 0.2
percent. Among durable goods, sales of metals and minerals,
except petroleum were up 1.9 percent from last month. Among
nondurable goods, sales of petroleum and petroleum products
increased 7.5 percent from last month, while apparel, piece
goods, and notions decreased 8.4 percent.

Inventories. Total inventories of merchant wholesalers, after
adjustment for seasonal variations but not for price changes,
were $289.0 billion at the end of April, up 0.2 percent
(+/- 0.3%) from the revised March level and were 4.7 percent
(+/- 0.9%) above April 1998. The March preliminary estimate
was revised downward $0.2 billion or 0.1 percent. Among

durable goods, inventories of lumber and other construction
materials increased 1.5 percent from March, while professional
and commercial equipment and supplies fell 2.8 percent. End-of-
month inventories of nondurable goods increased 1.1 percent
(+/- 0.5%) from March and were 7.4 percent (+/- 1.5%) above
last year. Compared to last month, inventories of drugs, drug
proprietaries, and druggists’ sundries increased 5.3 percent and
paper and paper products grew 2.1 percent.

Inventories/Sales Ratio. | The April inventories/sales ratio for
merchant wholesalers, based on seasonally adjusted data, was
1.30. The April 1998 ratio was 1.29.

Data in this report are based on a sample and, therefore, are
subject to sampling and nonsampling variability. A discussion of
the reliability of the data and general survey methodology
appears in BW/97-RV Current Business Reports.

Monthly Inventories/Sales Ratios of Merchant Wholesalers: 1990 to 1999
(Data adjusted for seasonal and trading-day differences, but not for price changes)

1.40

1.35 +

1.30 F

1.25 +

1.20

vin

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Monthly Wholesale Trade for April is scheduled to be released July 8, 1999 at 10:00 a.m.

Address inquiries concerning this report to Service Sector Statistics Division, Bureau of the Census, Washington, DC 20233, or
call Ronald Piencykoski, (301) 457-2779 or 457-2764. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402. :

This report is available on day of issue through the Department of Commerce's online Economic Bulletin Board (202-482-1 986).
The data are also available on the internet - http://www.census.gov/svsd/www/mwts.html.


U.S. Department of Commerce : FIRST-CLASS MAIL
BUREAU OF THE CENSUS POSTAGE & FEES PAID
Washington, D.C. 20233 CENSUS

Official Business
Penalty for Private Use, $300

PERMIT No. G-58

Table 3. Seasonal Adjustment Factors for Sales and Inventories of Merchant Wholesalers

sic Kind of Sales Inventories

code Business 1999 1998 1999 1998
May | Apr.r | Mar.r | Feb. Jan. | Apr.c | May | Apr.r | Mar. | Feb. Jan. | Apr.r

U.S. Total’ | 0.992 | 1.011 | 1.077 | 0.911 | 0.908 | 1.013 | 0.994 | 1.007 | 1.009 | 1.015 | 1.019 | 1.007

50 Durable 0.980 | 1.006 | 1,082 | 0.904 | 0.883 | 1.005 | 1.009 | 1.009 | 1.003 | 1.003 | 0.997 | 1.009
501 |Automotive 1.005 | 1.047 | 1.125 | 0.921 | 0.865 | 1.044] 1.007 | 1.014 | 1.016 | 1.042 | 1.019 | 1.015
502 {Furniture 0.976 | 1.012 | 1.048 | 0.892 | 0.866 | 1.003 | 1.003 | 0.973 | 0.982 | 0.976 | 0.979 | 0.973
503 {Lumber 1.017 | 1.023 | 1.018 | 0.842 | 0.819 | 1.020 | 1.024 | 1.032 | 1.023 | 0.999 | 0.977 | 1.031
504 |Prof. equip. 0.944 | 0.979 | 1.090 | 0.907 | 0.908 | 0.975 | 0.994 | 1.010 | 1.002 | 0.991 | 1.007 | 1.009
505 |Metals 0.988 | 1.030 | 1.104 | 0.947 | 0.950 | 1.036 | 1.004 | 1.008 | 1.012 ] 1.005 | 1.011 | 1.009
506 Electrical 0.949 | 0.967 | 1.071 | 0.909 | 0.888 | 0.964 | 1.004 | 0.998 | 0.985 | 0.996 | 0.995 | 0.998
507 |Hardware 0.976 | 0.989 | 0.989 | 0.867 | 0.880 | 0.978 | 1.024 | 1.020 | 1.011 | 1.002 | 0.984 | 1.019
508 |Machinery 1.018 | 1,060 | 1.113 | 0.920 | 0.894 | 1.052 | 1.018 | 1.019 | 1.008 | 0.997 | 0.987 | 1.019
509 |Other Durable | 0.948 | 0.961 | 1.052 | 0.893 | 0.864 | 0.954 | 0.998 | 0.982 | 0.969 | 0.984 | 0.994 | 0.984
51 Nondurable | 1.005 | 1.016 | 1.068 | 0.922 | 0.936 | 1.022 | 0.966 | 1.009 | 1.018 | 1.034 | 1.057 | 1.010
511 |Paper 0.929 | 0.997 | 1.066 | 0.946 | 0.981 | 0.992 | 0.981 | 1.010 |] 1.005 | 0.997 | 1.018 | 1.012
512 |Drugs 0.944 | 1.013 | 1.071 | 0.931 | 0.996 | 1.010 | 0.947 | 1.005 | 1.009 | 1.016 | 1.074 | 1.005
513 |Apparel 0.822 | 0.971 | 1.130 | 1.034 | 0.914 | 0.974 | 0.976 | 0.961 | 0.961 | 1.008 | 1.044 | 0.961
514 |Groceries 1.025 | 0.988 | 1.054 | 0.910 | 0.934 | 1.000 | 0.992 | 0.990 | 0.985 | 0.980 | 0.997 | 0.990
515 |Farm-products | 0.954 | 0.953 | 1.067 | 0.955 | 1.034 | 0.957 | 0.831 | 1.005 | 1.094 | 1.201 | 1.279 | 1.005
516 |Chemicals 1.036 | 1.018 | 1.063 | 0.934 | 0.938 | 1.028 | 1.019 | 0.998 | 1.005 | 1.007 | 0.999 | 0.999
517 |Petroleum 0.992 | 1.025 | 1.032 | 0.938 | 0.996 | 1.011 | 1.003 | 0.989 | 0.970 } 0.984 | 1.014 | 0.991
518 |Alcohol 1.025 | 0.999 | 1.010 | 0.811 | 0.737 | 1.003 | 0.962 | 0.997 | 1.001 | 0.956 | 0.931 | 0.998
519 JOther Nondur. | 1.162 | 1.163 | 1.086 | 0.889 | 0.832 | 1.163 | 1.009 | 1.052 | 1.077 | 1.072 | 1.058 | 1.055

r Revised.

1 Adjusted sales and inventories data shown in Table 1 are obtained by dividing the unadjusted data by the
adjustment factors shown above for the corresponding group. Adjusted data for the totals are obtained by adding
the durable and nondurable goods. Seasonal factors shown for the totals will provide an approximation of the
adjusted estimates, but may show small differences from the published data.

Note: The seasonal factors shown have been computed based on monthly estimates through the current month
preliminary estimates.

U.S. Census Bureau, the Official StatisticsTM June 8,199