The fourth quarter 2018 Sales History & Outlook Report (SHOR) released by the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) indicates the average PTDA distributors’ index for total sales during 4Q18 was 5.4 percent higher compared to 2017. PTDA manufacturers’ index annual average was also strong, up 7.3 percent year over year in December. Leading indicators suggest the Index annual average will decline mildly in 2019.

The 4Q2018 PTDA Business Index moved downward to a reading of 57.9 compared to the third quarter reading of 63.1 but still remains slightly above ISM’s U.S. Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) of 56.6. The overall trend indicates slowing growth ahead for PTDA member sales.

PTDA members participating in SHOR receive the results and forecasts through 2020 at no charge after the close of the calendar quarter. For more specifics on the forecast for power transmission/motion control sales through distribution as well as forecasts for manufacturer sales, purchase the 4Q2018 SHOR at ptda.org/SHOR.

The PTDA Business Index is modeled after the widely respected PMI and tracks change in business activity, new orders, employment, supplier deliveries, inventories, prices and backlog in the PT/MC industry to arrive at an overall index. The entire 4Q2018 PTDA Business Index report is available through PTDA’s website at ptda.org/Index.