Import | Export

Rising desperation as China's exports drop
By Keith Bradsher — Rising desperation as China's exports drop
Jan 01 2009, HONG KONG (NYT / HERALD TRIBUNE)

A Sea of Unwanted Imports
By Matt Richtel — Thousands of unwanted import cars, worth tens of millions of dollars, now being warehoused on increasingly crowded port property
Nov 18 2008, LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, USA (NY TIMES)

US Oct Import Prices fall as Petroleum Plunges
By News Staff — Import prices take biggest 1-month drop since 1988 as costs for imported oil take sharpest plunge in five years
Nov 14 2008, WASHINGTON, D.C., USA (REUTERS)

Credit `Tsunami' Swamps Trade as Banks Curtail Loans
By Janofsky, Drajem and Nightingale — Suppliers losing sales as the credit crisis spreads, banks refuse financing or increase fees
Oct 29 2008, NEW YORK, USA (BLOOMBERG)

Baltic Dry Index (cargo 'box trades')

DryShips Seasick..... For Now
By News Staff — Lack of financing of global trade has temporarily brought the spot market for trading vessels to a virtual standstill
Nov 14 2008, USA (RTT NEWS)

The BDI: The Only Economic Indicator Worth Tracking Right Now
By Louis Basenese — If you want to know when the global slowdown will finally reverse, pay attention to the Baltic Dry Index, And nothing else
Nov 14 2008, USA (CONTRARIAN PROFITS)

Two Signs that Something is Seriously Wrong
By 'gjohnsit' — When a major, worldwide economic index collapses by 98% in just a few months, its time to sit up and take notice
Nov 12 2008, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, USA (DAILY KOS)

DryShips Confronts Stormy Seas As Economic Crisis Slows Freight
By David Gaffen — Dearth of Advance Shipment Bookings Spells Trouble
Nov 11 2008, NEW YORK, USA (WALL STREET JOURNAL)

Using the Baltic Dry Index in Your Forex Trading
By S. Wade Hansen — The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) is a practical economic indicator on a global scale
Nov 06 2008, USA (FOREX FACTORY)

Baltic Dry Index Drops Below 1,000 for First Time in Six Years
By Alistair Holloway — BDI falls below 1,000 as the lack of credit curbed global trade and shipowners threatened to shun orders
Oct 28 2008, NEW YORK, USA (BLOOMBERG)

Baltic Dry Index
By Dry Ships, Inc. — The latest Dry Bulk Shipping News and daily stats
2008, ATHENS, GREECE (DRYSHIPS.COM)

Short Term Credit & Letters of Credit

Commerce becalmed over letters of credit
By News Staff — The cost of guaranteeing a letter of credit, a routine instrument used for payment of goods, has doubled
Nov 03 2008, LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (TIMES ONLINE)

Global liquidity crunch hits edible oil trade
By News Staff — Edible oil importers are strapped for cash as overseas banks decline to accept usance letters of credit from Indian importers
Nov 01 2008, CHENNAI, INDIA (SIFY)

Shipping Lines Say Tight Credit Cutting World Trade
By Chan Sue Ling — Letters of credit and the credit lines for trade currently are frozen
Oct 15 2008, NEW YORK, USA (BLOOMBERG)

Grain Shipments Stalled in Credit Drought
By John Greenwood — "There's all kinds of stuff stacked up on docks right now that can't be shipped because people can't get letters of credit"
Oct 07 2008, DON MILLS, ONTARIO, CANADA (FINANCIAL POST)

USDA Crops Harvest Estimates
By Melinda Peer — Although historically high, falling forecast bodes poorly for cereal companies, ethanol producers and meat concerns
Nov 10 2008, NEW YORK, USA (FORBES)

What's Next For Commodities?
By Nico Isaac — Opportunities abound in the world's leading commodity markets
Nov 14 2008, ATLANTA, GEORGIA, USA (ELLIOTWAVE.COM)

SOFTS-Eroding Crude, Equities pound Soft Commods
By Pastor & Brough — Redemption day for hedge funds could put pressure on already depressed soft commodity futures as investors convert to cash
Nov 12 2008, NEW YORK, USA (FORBES)

Hard Commodities (base metals, etc.)

What are Hard Commodities and HAP ETFs?
By News Staff — What hard assets are all about
Nov14 2008, AHMEDABAD, INDIA (COMMODITY ONLINE)

Scrap-Steel Buyers Cancel Purchases as Prices Tumble
By Lee Spears — Asian buyers are canceling purchases after prices tumbled more than 80 % over four months
Nov 03 2008, NEW YORK, USA (BLOOMBERG)