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 total number of operating rigs in the U.S. the week ending September 7th 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% [...]
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) [...]
The Consumer confidence index increased by 2.4 points in May according to the Conference Board. The index now stands at 128.0. Bloomberg reports that a strong job market influenced the views on the current state of the economy, as the labor market continues to post impressive gains and workers remain confident about their future. On [...]
The dollar Broad Index posted a reading of 97.95 for May, up 2.7% 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 [...]
In May there were good gains in both construction and manufacturing. The total number of seasonally adjusted (SA), non-farm people employed in the U.S. in May was 148.662 million (M), a relatively flat increase of 0.15% month on month, (m/m). Over the past 12 months the U.S. economy has added 1.77M jobs, or +1.7% for [...]
Data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), shows that total light (cars and light truck/SUVs), vehicle sales in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, (SAAR) of 12.346 million (M), units, down 55,000 units or 0.4% from March. Figure 1 shows the history of light vehicle sales (domestic plus imports), from 2010 to [...]
The Baltic Dry Index (BDI), for April tumbled 286 points to 1,341 month on month (m/m), a 27% decline, and currently averages 1,363 thru May 22nd. Changes on an m/m comparison can be exhibit wild swings as was the case in April. Looked at on a three month moving average, (3MMA) comparison the BDI fell [...]
