Sales were up in three of seven subsectors, accounting for 54% of total wholesale sales.

Increases in the machinery, equipment and supplies and the food, beverage and tobacco subsectors were almost completely offset by declines in the motor vehicle and parts subsector.

In volume terms, wholesale sales were unchanged at $54.8 billion.

The machinery, equipment and supplies subsector rose for the third consecutive month, up 2.3% to $13.0 billion in April. This was the largest monthly dollar increase since December 2017. Sales were up in three of four industries, led by the construction, forestry, mining, and industrial machinery, equipment and supplies industry (+5.8%). Imports of logging, mining and construction machinery have also risen for three consecutive months.