Comments on: TRANSPORTS CONFIRM THE ECONOMY IS WEAK

By: Robby

Robby — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:11:10 +0000

Statistics lie and liars use statistics!

By: Dude_WheresMyMoney

Dude_WheresMyMoney — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:49:48 +0000

When Obama’s term (hopefully not terms) has ended, I suspect history will indicate that he was the worst American President ever. I am near 50, and Jimmy Carter has always ranked at the top for me as the worst President – both domestic and international policies. His international policies enabled much of the problems that plague the world today with the radical Muslim nations. Well, George Jr. made it to my second worst behind the peanut man, but Obama, he just scares the hell out of me on what the landscape of America may look like when he is finished with the aid of his radical left Comgress. Vote both parties out of Washington, America needs a reboot!

By: John B

John B — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:10:38 +0000

For final demand use Container Index which keeps hitting new lows. Of course it could be alot of new container ships too. But looking at Port of Los Angeles monthly in-bound and out-bound container volume reports pretty much confirms shipping is down on weak final demand. Another good confirmation of low final demand in shipping would be intermodal freight car loadings – way way down compared to last year.

By: AWF

AWF — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:25:55 +0000

I mispoke in the last post:

China steel production has recovered to 2008 avg levels.

But China Steel production has declined the last 2 months

By: AWF

AWF — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:58:46 +0000

The UNP railyard in Spring,Tx still looks weak—hardly any movement.

Another “Bellweather” US Steel say demand remains weak going forward.

Another “Bellweather” China Steel producers–demand remains weak.

By: andy

andy — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:58:16 +0000

My first day on this site…very informative…just one comment.
‘MAINSTREAM MEDIA’. Just what or whom does that refer to now?
Does anyone reading this read anything besides WSJ, Barrons or IBD for their news?
I know of no one who gets their news from NEW YORK TIMES, THE WASHINGTON POST, L.A. TIMES, CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS or NBC. The crawl and commentary on MSNBC and BLOOMBERG can be informative but if they have news it isn’t mainstream. It’s financial or biased to their agenda.
Last week a T.V. personality on CNN had to give what he said was an apology, on air, for a statement he made as news… Charley Gibson didn’t know about ACORN-and on and on and on!
Anyway..lets call it the way you see it… THE WEENY MEDIA.

By: The Finn

The Finn — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:11:20 +0000

I think you mean Baltic Dry Index?

To start with BDI is not near its 10 year low and I don’t think you should compare it with what it showed in 2007 and 2008, not for now anyway. The cost of carrying dry bulk commodities is also depended on the number of ships available on the market. In 2009 many new ships have been delivered and since demand is lower than supply this will lower the cost of carrying dry bulk commodities and the BDI.

By: David

David — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:51:45 +0000

As i have said on previous posts the SP500 is on a pe of 20, this is way too high at this stage of a recovery, but markets can remain irrational longer than one can remain solvent (or as long as the stimulus lasts), the transport index fell again today, the main bear in the room is the price of oil, if it goes above 100 dollars for any length of time we may have a double-dip recession time will tell

By: Ron Borg

Ron Borg — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:48:14 +0000

a href=http://www.investmenttools.com/futures/bdi_baltic_dry_index.htm

By: Ron Borg

Ron Borg — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:47:02 +0000

The Balkan Dry Index tracks the costs to ship dry goods worldwide. Its a great indicator for worldwide commerce. While its off its lows, its still sitting near 10 year lows. Here's a chart: