Solomon Coyle 2024-Q4 Market Outlook Report Now Available
Distributor’s Outlook Quite Positive for First Half of 2025
Upon reviewing this quarter’s survey responses, Solomon Coyle principal Shelley Rosetta shares, “Seeing the actual bookings growth of 3.7% exceed the Q4 forecasts, and dealers’ optimism with projected growth rates of 3.8% for Q1 2025 and 2.8% for Q2 2025, highlights the positive mindset of the distribution channel’s market outlook as we enter the first half of 2025.”
Director of Business Analytics John Joseph adds, “Forward-looking Sector Pipeline Activity is flashing an interesting signal: the corporate and financial sector pipelines improved while government pipelines declined. This is a positive indicator as the private sector typically reacts more quickly to changes in expected market conditions than does the public sector.”
Key Findings
The distribution channel looked good in Q4, and the near-term outlook remains strong. Q4 Bookings growth was positive and came in right about where dealers anticipated 3 months ago. Dealers have recently grown more optimistic about the start of 2025.
- Actual Q4 Bookings growth of 3.7% narrowly exceeded the 3.5% forecasted three months earlier.
- This past October, dealers predicted Q1 Bookings growth of under 2% but are now expecting a 3.5% growth rate, followed by 2.8% for Q2.
- Billings and Backlogs growth rates both increased between Q3 and Q4, from 4.8% to 5.5% and from 1.2% to 2.5%, respectively.
- Sector Pipeline Activity improved for Corporate, Financial, and Hospitality but declined in Government and Healthcare. Overall, pipelines in every region except the Midwest showed positive change.
Report Access
Intelligence gained through the Market Outlook program reflects frontline distributor knowledge of markets across North America and is grounded in distributor sentiment regarding future expectations.
Distributors that complete the quarterly survey receive a full report containing regional and subregional information, where available. To view the current report, visit: www.solomoncoyle.com/dealer-market-outlook-report/. For inquiries regarding participation, email support@solomoncoyle.com.