Profits up for manufacturers, wholesalers
U.S. manufacturers generated after-tax profits of $135.3 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010, up 9.5% from the third quarter, and up 2% from the same period in 2009.
According to new data just released by the U.S. Census Bureau, seasonally adjusted sales for the quarter totaled $1.48 trillion, up 9.6% from the third quarter and up 5.9% from the $1.34 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2009. Among durable goods manufacturers, seasonally adjusted after-tax profits totaled $67.2 billion, up 5% from the third quarter of 2010 and up 2% from the fourth quarter of 2009. Sales for durable goods manufacturers totaled $969 billion for the quarter.
After-tax profits also increased for wholesalers in the fourth quarter. Fourth quarter 2010 unadjusted after-tax profits for wholesale trade corporations with assets of $50 million and more totaled $6.8 billion, up 2% from the quarter quarter of 2009. Unadjusted sales for the fourth quarter of 2010 were $499.5 billion, up 8.2% from the fourth quarter of 2009.
Durable goods wholesalers after-tax profits totaled $4.3 billion, 1% higher than the same quarter last year.
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The March/April issue of Industrial Supply magazine features an in-depth cover story about Joyce Lansdale and Vallen. Plus, we're featuring articles by contributing writers Dirk Beveridge, Frank Hurtte, and David Kahle, as well as interviews with numerous product and distribution industry experts.
