PMPA Business Trends November 2018
“2018-On Track to a Strong Finish”
With 80 companies responding, the PMPA Business Trends Index for November 2018 declined 11 points to 130,
which was an all-time high for the month of November! Shops reporting sales declines outnumbered those reporting
gains by a ratio of 4:1 not at all unexpected considering the seasonality of shipments this time of year. The Business Trends
Sales Index remains on track to close the year up 8% over 2017. Outlook- despite the seasonality, respondents’ sentiment for Sales in the next three months increased in November, while Lead Times remained steady.
The five-year average for November is 114.6, making this November reading 13% higher than the five-year average for
November sales. Our year to date average is 135, up 10 points or 8.0% over 2017’s year-end average of 125. How does your
shop’s sales compare?