COLUMBUS, Ohio — Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) members’ average sales increased 12.2 percent in November, according to the association’s monthly TRENDS report. The average annualized growth for the 12 months through November 2018 registered at 11.1 percent.

“Furnace season is off to a great start,” said Brian Loftus, market research & benchmarking analyst, HARDI. “October was colder than the prior year in every region. That happened again in November, when heating degree days exceeded normal in six of our seven economic regions.”

HARDI sales remain outstanding entering the winter months, said Paul Hallmann, economist, HARDI.

“Despite recent volatility in equity markets, economic fundamentals remain strong,” he said. “We’ll be keeping a close eye on the actions and remarks of the Fed in the coming months, as continued equity market volatility will lead to downside risk on consumer and business confidence as well as on economic activity in general; however, November confidence numbers remained strong for both consumers and businesses.”

The Days Sales Outstanding (DSO), a measure of how quickly customers pay their bills, is now over 48 days.

“The DSO is up from the summer lows, and that is consistent with the normal annual pattern,” said Loftus. “Forty-eight is a little higher than last year, but we expect the ratio to remain in the 47-49 range the next couple of months.”

HARDI members do not receive financial compensation in exchange for their monthly sales data and can discontinue their participation without prior notice or penalty. Participation is voluntary, and the depth of market coverage varies from region to region. An independent entity collects and compiles the data that can include products not directly associated with the HVACR industry.

For more information, visit www.hardinet.org/benchmarking.

Publication date: 01/03/18