Today we take a look at the recent performance of the BDI Index which has shown a strong recovery after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Baltic Dry Index or BDI index is a composite of various shipping rates used to transport dry bulk containers on merchant ships. Although the index is useful to determine the demand for dry bulkers, it can also be used as an important economic indicator. Namely, the use of this index as an indicator is a variation on the theme Charles Dow employed a century ago: transportation activity implies future commerce.

A change in the Baltic Dry Index can give investors insight into global supply and demand trends. Many consider a rising or contracting index to be a leading indicator of future economic growth. It’s based on raw materials because the demand for them portends the future. These materials are bought to construct and sustain buildings and infrastructure, not at times when buyers have either an excess of materials or are no longer constructing buildings or manufacturing products.

BDI Index Historic Performance

Source: Bloomberg, InterCapital Research

As witnessed from the chart, the BDI index almost hit its decade low in 2020 amid the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic as global trade was put on halt. However, as optimism spurred with the introduction of the vaccine, the index successful recovered.  Not only that, but the index closed yesterday at 1,540 points which is significantly above the 10-year average of 1,257.95 indicating that demand and future growth is to be expected.

Even though the BDI index is on the rise, share prices of Croatian Dry-Bulkers are showing a mixed picture. The best performing share since the beginning of 2020 was Alpha Adriatic whose share price is currently up 24%, meanwhile Jadroplov’s share remained flattish. On the flip side, Atlantska Plovidba’s share price remains below the level seen at the beginning of 2020 (-53.9%)

Share Price Performance of Croatian Dry-Bulk Companies