What is the Baltic Dry Index?

What is the Baltic Dry Index?

The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) is an index of average prices paid for the transport of dry bulk materials across more than 20 routes. The BDI is often viewed as a leading indicator of economic activity because changes in the index reflect supply and demand for important materials used in manufacturing.

Why is the Baltic Dry Index Important?

The Baltic Dry Index is a leading indicator that provides a clear view into the global demand for commodities and raw materials. The fact that the Baltic Dry Index focuses on raw materials is important because demand for raw materials provides a glimpse into the future.

What does Baltic index indicate?

The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) is a measure of the correlation between the supply of large super bulk cargo ships (across three different sizes), and the demand to utilize the ships and their trade routes. It is a composite index that helps to assess freight costs on various routes throughout the globe.

Where can I find Baltic Dry Index?

The index can be accessed on a subscription basis directly from the Baltic Exchange as well as from some financial information and news services such as Bloomberg and Reuters.

How is BDI calculated?

To calculate: “Divide the percent of brand A’s total U.S. sales in market X by the percent of the total U.S. population in market X, then multiply the result by 100 to get the index number.”

How can I invest in Baltic Dry?

Indexes are not investable securities, but investors have some choices that offer exposure to the Baltic Dry Index.

1. Dry Bulk Shippers. Perhaps the most obvious way to get exposure to the Baltic Dry Index is through the shares of dry bulk shipping companies. …
2. Commodities Producers. …
3. Oil. …
4. Country Funds.

Why did Baltic Dry Index spike in 2008?

Shipping costs were previously so expensive because demand was strong and enormous cargo ships can’t be built overnight. As the demand disappeared, the Baltic Dry dived. Moving huge quantities of cargo is an energy-intensive activity, so the slump in oil prices is a large part of what’s happening here.

Why was the Baltic Dry Index so high in 2008?

Two key drivers of the BDI have undergone significant shifts since the index peaked in 2008: the supply of cargo ships and the Chinese economy.