Investopedia

Continue to Site »

Baltic Dry Index - BDI

Filed Under » , ,
Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Baltic Dry Index - BDI'

A shipping and trade index created by the London-based Baltic Exchange that measures changes in the cost to transport raw materials such as metals, grains and fossil fuels by sea. The Baltic Exchange directly contacts shipping brokers to assess price levels for a given route, product to transport and time to delivery (speed).

The Baltic Dry Index is a composite of three sub-indexes that measure different sizes of dry bulk carriers (merchant ships) - Capesize, Supramax and Panamax. Multiple geographic routes are evaluated for each index to give depth to the index's composite measurement.

It is also known as the "Dry Bulk Index".
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Baltic Dry Index - BDI'

Changes in the Baltic Dry Index can give investors insight into global supply and demand trends. This change is often considered a leading indicator of future economic growth (if the index is rising) or contraction (index is falling) because the goods shipped are raw, pre-production material, which is typically an area with very low levels of speculation.

Because the supply of large carriers tends to remain very tight, with long lead times and high production costs, the index can experience high levels of volatility if global demand increases or drops off suddenly. The Baltic Exchange also operates as a maker of markets in freight derivatives, a type of forward contract known as FFAs (forward freight agreements) that are traded over-the-counter.

Articles Of Interest

  1.

    The Baltic Dry Index: Evaluating An Economic Recovery

    This index can provide insight into economic growth and production, but it has its critics.

  2. Benchmark Your Returns With Indexes

    If your portfolio is always falling short, you may not be making an apples-to-apples comparison.

  3. Economic Indicators To Know

    The economy has a large impact on the market. Learn how to interpret the most important reports.

  4. A Guide To Conference Board Indicators

    Learn to put the CB data sets to trading use. Each chapter takes you through one of the board's benchmark indicators or surveys, their significance and their applications.

  5. Why The Consumer Price Index Is Controversial

    Find out why economists are torn about how to calculate inflation.

  6. Predict Inflation With The Producer Price Index

    Find out how the PPI can be used to gauge the overall health of the economy.

  7. Leading Economic Indicators Predict Market Trends

    Leading indicators help investors to predict and react to where the market is headed.

  8. Austerity: When The Government Tightens Its Belt

    When a government tightens its belt in tough economic times the entire nation feels the squeeze.

  9. Will Quantitative Easing Be Japan's Savior?

    The quantitative easing program, recently announced by the new governor of the Bank of Japan, Haruhiko Kuroda, is for a cash infusion of $1.4 trillion by the end of 2014. Will it help the Japanese ...

  10. Inspecting A Country's Debt

    Tensions over just how to handle debt are pitting the rich world against the developing world like never before.
comments powered by Disqus
Marketplace
Hot Definitions

  1. Fool In The Shower

    The notion that changes or policies designed to alter the course of the economy should be done slowly, rather than all at once.

  2. Pattern Day Trader

    An SEC designation for traders who trade the same security four or more times per day (buys and sells) over a five-day period, and for whom same-day trades make up at least 6% of their activity for that period.

  3. Cost-Push Inflation

    A phenomenon in which the general price levels rise (inflation) due to increases in the cost of wages and raw materials.

  4. Happiness Economics

    The formal academic study of the relationship between individual satisfaction and economic issues, such as employment and wealth.

  5. Affluenza

    A social condition arising from the desire to be more wealthy, successful or to "keep up with the Joneses." Affluenza is symptomatic of a culture that holds up financial success as one of the highest achievements.

  6. Icarus Factor

    The term Icarus factor describes a situation where managers or executives initiate an overly ambitious project which then fails. Fueled by excitement for the project, the executives are unable to reign in their misguided enthusiasm before it is too late to avoid the failure.
Trading Center