35% collapse of the BDI index: the worst start to the year in 30 years
The Baltic Dry Index (BDI), the leading indicator of world trade through the price of shipping, has collapsed 35% since Christmas Eve.
It was the worst start to the year since 1984 for international trade. Although it is usual for this index to be affected by the end of the holiday season, the slowdown recorded in the two weeks following Christmas Eve is the most spectacular in the last 30 years.
http://lejournaldusiecle.com/2014/01/11 ... is-30-ans/