The PTDA found that Canadian distributors were the only category reporting a gain in sales in July 2008, posting a 2.0 increase over June 2008. Sales over the same period last year were up 6.4 per cent. Accounts receivable collection days dropped dramatically, by 19.3 per cent compared to June 2008. In July 2008, the confidence level of Canadian distributors was held constant for the sixth consecutive month at 5.7 (on a 10-point scale).

However, the study found that U.S. distributors' overall sales of PT/MC products fell 1.1 per cent in July 2008 compared to June 2008. When matched up against sales in the same month last year, sales in July 2008 were up 10.2 per cent. Accounts receivable collection days increased 2.6 per cent since June 2008. The confidence index of U.S. distributors for July dropped 0.2 points to 5.4 (on a 10-point scale).

And Canadian manufacturers experienced a similar drop. Sales decreased 3.5 per cent in July 2008 compared to June 2008. Sales were down 0.9 per cent when compared to the same period last year. The confidence level of Canadian manufacturers increased 0.1 to 5.0 (on a 10-point scale) from June to July 2008.