by Mish
Wholesalers held back inventory growth in May, up only 0.1 percent and well under a 0.5 percent rise in sales at the wholesale level. The stock-to-sales ratio is down one notch to 1.35 from 1.36.
Inventories of two very large components — drugs and autos — fell sharply, making for leaner inventories relative to sales for both. In contrast, wholesale inventories of farm products have been on a sharp climb at the same time that sales have been falling, an unfavorable mix that is lifting the stock-to-sales ratio sharply, to 1.56 vs 1.46 in April and 1.30 in March.
But in general, inventories have been held successfully in check in line against no more than moderate rates of sales growth. Business inventories will be released Friday and will combine this report together with factory inventories, which slipped 0.1 percent in May, and yet-to-be released data on retail inventories.
Alleged Success
Inquiring minds are no doubt interest to see the success noted by Bloomberg.
Here’s what success looks like, produced from Census Department Data.
Motor Vehicles Inventory-to-Sales Ratio
Durable Goods Inventory-to-Sales Ratio
Apparel Inventory-to-Sales Ratio
Don’t worry about inventory levels. Economists predict a cold winter and intense shopping for coats. They are never wrong about the weather
— Mike “Mish” Shedlock (@MishGEA) July 12, 2016
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
