The Consumer confidence index rolled-back 7.3 points in March according to the Conference Board. The index now stands at 124.1. Despite the decline, the index remains at elevated levels with a positive trend line. On the other-hand, the labor market continues to show impressive gains and workers remain confident about their future. On a year [...]
In February 2019 there were 150.606 million (M), an increase of 0.21% month on month, (m/m). Figure 1 shows manufacturing and construction employment on the same chart from 2005 to present. Both manufacturing and construction employment are showing growth, construction is growing at a faster rate on a percentage basis. The SA manufacturing sector employed [...]
The total number of operating rigs in the U.S. the week ending December 31st was 1,048 with 860 being oil and 186 gas. In percentage terms, on a month on month, (m/m) basis, oil rigs were down 1.0% and gas rigs remained flat m/m. On a year on year, (y/y) comparison, rigs were up +13.8% for [...]
The dollar Broad Index posted a reading of 103.0419 for December, up 1.1% month on month. On a twelve moving average, year on year, (y/y) comparison, the Broad Index was up 6.4%. Table 1 lists the values of the U.S. dollar measured in the currency of the 17 steel trading nations that we follow as [...]
The Baltic Dry Index (BDI), for December tumbled 353 points to 1,192 month on month (m/m), a 22.8% decline. Changes on a m/m comparison can be exhibit wild swings as was the case in November. When looked at on a three month moving average, (3MMA) comparison the BDI fell 11.0% m/m to 1,395. On a 3MMA [...]
The dollar Broad Index posted a reading of 99.78 for December, up 0.6% month on month h. On a twelve moving average, (12MMA) year on year, (y/y) comparison, the dollar was down 3.2% against the Broad Index. Table 1 lists the values of the U.S. dollar measured in the currency of the 17 steel trading [...]
The total tonnage for the week ending September 8th was 1,879 million tons, (Mt) at a capacity utilization rate of 80.2%, which is the highest utilization since August 2014. For the first 36 weeks of 2018, total tonnage output was 64,240Mt, at an average capacity utilization rate of 76.3%. In 2017, the same 12 weeks [...]
The dollar Broad Index posted a reading of 100.92 for September, up 1.7% month on month. On a twelve moving average, (12MMA) year on year, (y/y) comparison, the dollar was down 1.6% against the Broad Index. Figure 1 shows the track of the Broad Index from 2000 to present. Year on year, the U.S. Dollar [...]
The total tonnage for the week ending July 14th was 1,783 million tons, (Mt) at a capacity utilization rate of 776.1%. For the first 28 weeks of 2018, total tonnage output was 49,435 Mt, at an average capacity utilization rate of 75.5%. In 2017, the same 28 weeks production total was 48,566 Mt at 73.8%. [...]
The total number of operating rigs in the U.S. the week as of July 13th was 1,054 with 863 oil rigs and 189 gas. In percentage terms, on a month on month, (m/m) basis, oil rigs were relatively flat, (+2 rigs) as gas rigs decreased by 2.3% (-5 rigs). On a year on year, (y/y) [...]
