Podcasts about freight rates

Kia ora,Welcome to Friday's Economy Watch where we follow the economic events and trends that affect Aotearoa/New Zealand.I'm David Chaston and this is the international edition from Interest.co.nz.And today we lead with news the legality of the US tariff taxes is now under court scrutiny.But first, US initial jobless claims rose +10,000 last week from the prior week to 212,000 when seasonal factors suggested it should have fallen -7,000. (The headline number was +240,000.) There are now 1.78 mln people on these benefits, +120,000 more than this time last year or a +7% rise.There was an update to the Q1-2025 US GDP growth rate out overnight, and it was little-changed, still showing a stall. Now they say it contracted at an annualised rate of -0.2% in the quarter, a slight improvement from the initial estimate of a -0.3% decline. However, it is still the first quarterly GDP contraction in three years. The slight improvement was driven by stronger-than-expected investment, which partially offset weaker consumer spending and a larger-than-anticipated drag from trade.The same data showed corporate profits fell sharply in the period and could continue to be squeezed this year by higher costs from tariffs.Pending home sales retreated an outsized -6.3% in April from March, far more than the -0.9% drop anticipated by analysts and fully erasing the revised +5.5% increase in March. The industry blames "high interest rates".The US Treasury 7yr bond auction today was supported a bit better than the prior event, resulting in a median yield of 4.14% compared to the 4.07% at the prior equivalent event a month ago.In a US Federal Court, the Trump Administration lost a key case challenging the imposition of his "Liberation Day" tariffs, where it was claimed the President didn't have the authority to impose them without Congressional approval. The issue will end up in the US Supreme Court soon for 'final' resolution. If it doesn't go Trump's way in his stacked court, things could get 'interesting'.In Japan, consumer sentiment is still trending down after peaking in March 2024. But the May survey recorded a bounce back from the unusual drop in April.In Australia, capex investment is not growing, especially for plant and equipment. And that is a hesitation in the rising trend that started in 2014 and continued until September 2024. The recent Q1-2025 data softness seems to be embedding.Globally, passenger air travel demand was up +8.0% with international travel demand rising almost +11%. In the Asia/Pacific region it was up more than +14%. Wanderlust is back fully after the pandemic period.Air cargo demand was up +5.8% in April, up +10% in the Asia/Pacific region, no doubt boosted by the rush to beat US tariffs.Meanwhile, container freight rates rose +10% last week from the week before to be -41% lower than year-ago levels. Trade uncertainty surrounding 'new' tariff-taxes is causing the current scramble to get goods moved. Bulk cargo rates dipped -2.5% in the past week however.The UST 10yr yield is now at 4.43%, and down -5 bps from yesterday.The price of gold will start today at US$3,322/oz, and up +US$26 from yesterday.Oil prices are down -US$1 at just under US$61/bbl in the US and the international Brent price is now at US$64/bbl.The Kiwi dollar is now at 59.9 USc, a +30 bps rise from yesterday at this time. Against the Aussie we are unchanged at just under 92.8 AUc. Against the euro we are down -20 bps at 52.6 euro cents. That all means our TWI-5 starts today at just under 68 and up +10 bps from yesterday.The bitcoin price starts today at US$106,229 and down -1.1% from yesterday. Volatility over the past 24 hours has been modest at just on +/-1.3%.You can get more news affecting the economy in New Zealand from interest.co.nz.Kia ora. I'm David Chaston. And we will do this again on Tuesday.

Kia ora,Welcome to Friday's Economy Watch where we follow the economic events and trends that affect Aotearoa/New Zealand.I'm David Chaston and this is the international edition from Interest.co.nz.And today we lead with news the all bets are probably off on how 2025 will turn out as the cascading impacts from the Trump tariffs surge around the world.We were anticipating we would be reporting some tariff retaliation news today, and there is some. But the most significant retaliation is from financial markets. It is comprehensive.So far there are no substantive retaliations announced, only threats to do so from China, Japan, South Korea, and the EU. But Canada has hit some US cars with a matching 25% tariff. Some countries - like New Zealand and Australia - have said they won't retaliate, but they tend to be the ones who only got slapped with a 10% rate on their exports. For them it is wise to see how much will be effectively paid by US consumers, and in NZ's case it will likely be most of it. Most of the impact on us will come from second-effect reactions in other trading partners.Perhaps most galling were the 32% tariffs Trump slapped on Taiwan.Back to the economic data releases, US jobless claims were unchanged last week from the week before and only marginally higher than year-ago levels. There are now 2.07 mln people on these benefits, about +7% above year-ago levels. But that is their highest since November 2021.There was a surge in job cuts reported in March, by far the highest since the early pandemic reaction. Although most are public service cuts, it seems unlikely they will be the only ones in the months ahead.The employment component of today's ISM services PMI was unusually weak, and the overall index tumbled to its weakest since July 2024. It was barely expanding in March. The internationally-benchmarked S&P Global/Markit version had its big drop in February, and the latest March version records a small bump up from then. But it reported cost inflation up to an 18-month high.Attention now turns to tomorrow's March non-farm payrolls where a most rise of +135,000 is anticipated.US exports rose in March as part of the repositioning in anticipation of tariffs and retaliation. But an interesting detail is that of the +US$8.3 bln rise to US$278.5 bln for the month, US$3.2 bln of that was the export on gold. US imports held very high for a second month at record levels. (Imports of gold decreased -US$1.3 bln. The market chatter was that gold was flowing into the US, especially from London. Apparently that was just rumour.)Across the Pacific in China, the Caixin services PMI rose in March and to its best level of the year. This was notably stronger than the official services PMI. New orders rose the most in three months, driven by increases in domestic demand, supported by a broad improvement in demand conditions. We see that in improved Chinese buying in the dairy auction.Australia is reporting sharp drops in job vacancies. The latest data is for February, and the levels reported are almost -10% lower than year ago levels, down for that -5% in the prior 90 days alone. Almost all the decreases are in the private sector.Container freight rates slipped -2% last week from the week before, to be -26% lower than year ago levels. However they are still +55% higher than pre-pandemic levels.Bulk freight rates fell -2.5% from last week to be -8% below year-ago levels. Basically, these rates are back to pre-pandemic levels.The UST 10yr yield is now at 4.04%, down -17 bps from yesterday at this time. The VIX volatility index has jumped suddenly, although not yet to an extreme level.Wall Street is in its Thursday session down -4.3% on the S&P500 after the tariff announcements and showing no signs of improving. The price of gold will start today at just on US$3108/oz and down a net -US$24 from yesterday.Oil prices have dropped -US$5 from yesterday at just on US$66.50/bbl in the US and the international Brent price is now just under US$69/bbl. Not only is demand expected to soften as tariffs take their toll, eight OPEC+ countries unexpectedly announced a +411,000-barrel-per-day production increase for May, far exceeding the planned +135,000 bpd. It seems an incredibly naive announcement from their self-interest point of viewThe Kiwi dollar is now at 58.1 USc and up +80 bps from this time yesterday. That is a +1.8% appreciation since the start of the week and a +3.8% appreciation since the start of March. Against the Aussie we are up +40 bps at 91.5 AUc. Against the euro we are down -20 bps at just over 52.6 euro cents. That all means our TWI-5 starts today now just on 67 and up +20 bps.The bitcoin price starts today at US$82,172 and down a sharpish -5.8% from this time yesterday. Volatility over the past 24 hours has been very high at +/- 4.1%.You can find links to the articles mentioned today in our show notes.You can get more news affecting the economy in New Zealand from interest.co.nz.Kia ora. I'm David Chaston. And we will do this again on Monday.

There are plenty of people who have loomed large in the world of trucking over the past few decades – and any list of names is sure to include radio icon Dave Nemo and OOIDA President Todd Spencer. The two legends in their respective fields met at last week's Mid-America Trucking Show for a reunion of sorts, and we had our microphones rolling. Then, Truckstop's Brent Hutto calls in with positive news about load-posting volumes and one market in particular that's doing very well. 0:00 – Newscast 10:13 – Dave Nemo and Todd Spencer on their early days in trucking 24:50 – Dave Nemo and Todd Spencer on their legacies and more 39:33 – More positive signs in the spot market

Kia ora,Welcome to Friday's Economy Watch where we follow the economic events and trends that affect Aotearoa/New Zealand.I'm David Chaston and this is the international edition from Interest.co.nz.And today we lead with news we are slipping in the Happiness rankings, and slipping fast in the inequality measures within it.But first, last week's American initial jobless claims report brought no surprises, coming it at a similar level to the prior week and exactly as anticipated. But they season factors suggested they should have decreased a bit more than they did. There are now 2.13 mln people on these benefits, +6 more than year-ago levels.There were a lot more existing homes sold in the US (excludes new-built homes) in February that either in January or than were expected. But they were still at a lower level that a year ago, and the volume of listings rose +5.1% from a year ago.The latest regional Fed factory survey was from the Philly Fed and its rust-belt region, and while it remained positive, most markers declines in March. New order level declines were part of that.And that is consistent with the Conference Board's latest update of American leading indicators, which declined in February.Across the border in Canada, and perhaps somewhat surprisingly, producer prices rose +4.9% in February from a year ago, an easing of the price pressure from January. But it is still the second fasted rise on this basis since the end of 2022. Raw material cost increases are keeping this measure up.And staying in Canada, their central bank boss signaled a policy change overnight in light of the economic impacts from US tariff threats; rather than setting policy on a median term outlook, the ime may have come for faster, more nimble responses to short-term pressures, he suggested.China kept its Loan Prime Rates unchanged at today's review with the one-year rate, a benchmark for most corporate and household loans, steady at 3.1%, while the five-year, a reference for property mortgages, holding at 3.6%. Both rates are record lows.Taiwanese export orders starred again in February. They soared by +31% from a year ago to US$49.5 bln, easily beating market expectations of +22% growth and rebounding sharply from a small January slip. You can see why the mainland government covets the independent offshore island.German producer prices rose only modestly again, a trend they have been in for four months now after exiting deflation over the past 17 months.The English central bank left its policy rate unchanged at 4.5% at their overnight meeting. This was as expected.In Australia, their February labour market data was a surprise disappointment - for the ruling Labor Party at least. The number of people in paid employment fell by -53,000 when a +30,000 rise was widely expected. This is not a small miss, and 'unwelcome' ahead of their upcoming election campaign. But the number of people jobless also fell, and by -11,300, which managed to keep their jobless rate unchanged at 4.1%. The reason both fell is because their participation rate fell to a nine-month low of 66.8%, down sharply from January's 67.2%. People are leaving their workforce faster than usual, many of them boomers. Monthly hours worked in all jobs shrank. Financial markets didn't react badly because it probably will shift the RBA away from worrying about 'tight labour markets' and open up the possibility of rate cuts.Global container freight rates fell another -4% last week to be -31% lower than year-ago levels. But they are still +59% higher than pre-pandemic levels, even though the down trend is gathering pace. Again it is lower rates on outbound cargoes from China to the US that is driving the decline. Bulk cargo rates however were +3.6% higher than week-ago levels, -17% lower than year-ago levels, but still +60% above pre-pandemic levels (which were unusually low, it must be said).In another global report, New Zealand is virtually tied with Australia as the 12th happiest country in the 2024 edition of the World happiness Report released overnight. The usual Scandinavian set is at the top, with Costa Rica, but oddly, both Israel and Mexico now rank higher than us, which seems a little odd. Neither Australia nor New Zealand rank well on the inequality measures.The UST 10yr yield is now at 4.24%, down -4 bps from yesterday at this time. The price of gold will start today at just on US$3038/oz and up a net +US$5 from yesterday.Oil prices are up another +50 USc from yesterday at just on US$68/bbl in the US and the international Brent price is at just on US$72/bbl.The Kiwi dollar is now at 57.5 USc and down -40 bps from this time yesterday in a continuing retreat. Against the Aussie we are down -10 bps at 91.3 AUc. Against the euro we are down -20 bps at 53 euro cents. That all means our TWI-5 starts today just on 66.8, and -40 bps lower.The bitcoin price starts today at US$83,747 and down -1.0% from this time yesterday. Volatility over the past 24 hours has again been moderate at +/- 2.2%.You can find links to the articles mentioned today in our show notes.You can get more news affecting the economy in New Zealand from interest.co.nz.Kia ora. I'm David Chaston. And we will do this again on Monday.

Kia ora,Welcome to Friday's Economy Watch where we follow the economic events and trends that affect Aotearoa/New Zealand.I'm David Chaston and this is the international edition from Interest.co.nz.And today we lead with news US policy making has now become so chaotic, businesses are holding off making decisions. That can only have negative consequences.Firstly, US jobless claims rose modestly last week from the week before but this was less than seasonal factors would have suggested. There are now 2.23 mln people on these benefits and back up near the October 2021 levels. The current consensus forecasts for tomorrow's release of the February non-farm payrolls is a rise of 160,000.But there might be some downside, if not in tomorrow's data, in the following set. The level of announced job cuts in February jumped to pandemic levels, and prior to that, to GFC levels. The Musk razor gang is getting some of the blame.The January American trade balance of both goods and services came in double the deficit of a year ago and an all-time record. Tariff policies have driven the change. For the year to January, their total trade deficit was -US$982 bln with a real surge from September to January and blowing it out to -3.4% of US GDP and a record high.Overnight the US announced delays on tariffs against Mexico. It is a never ending series of confusing 'definite' signals, none of which inspire confidence or allow for orderly business decision making. With Mexico, the situation has turned on its head in just four days. With Canada, Trump is ignoring what his Commerce Secretary said just one day ago, and US carmakers are in a real bind now.US wholesale inventories rose in January and their inventory to sales ratio rose too, ending a long period of improvement.Folding this data in gives the latest reading of Atlanta Fed GDPNow forecast for American Q1-2025 performance is now a -2.4% decline. Apart from the pandemic they won't have seen anything quite this dramatic since the GFC.Since its peak in December, the Tesla share price is continuing its fall, and it is only notable today because the value loss now exceeds -US$660 bln in that period. In NZD that is -$1.15 tln! That price is down another -5.6% so far today and filings show Tesla insiders are now selling.Going the other way, Canada's exports and their trade balance came in sharply positive. Exports were up +20% in January from a year ago and their trade surplus was its best since a brief spike in May 2022, and prior to that, best ever.The Malaysian central bank held its key interest rate at 3% for the tenth consecutive review during its overnight meeting, and that was in line with market expectations.In China, nothing meaningful or unexpected has come from their National People's Congress meetings.In Europe, the ECB cut its three key interest rates by 25 basis points, as expected, reducing the main refinancing rate to 2.65%. It was their sixth cut since the peak in September 2023 of 4.5%. Economic growth forecasts were revised downward to +0.9% for 2025 and +1.2% for 2026, reflecting weak exports and investment.EU retail sales volumes fell -1.6% in January from the same month a year ago.In Australia, tropical cyclone Alfred has slowed its move toward the Brisbane coast but is still generating damage and will do for longer, even if it actually losing some of its destructive power. Tens of thousands of people are without power now.Container freight rates fell another -3% last week from the week before to be -30% lower than year ago levels and now 'only' +76% above pre-pandemic levels. Bulk freight rates were up +13% in the week however but down -36% from a year ago.Today the UST 10yr yield is now at 4.29%, up +1 bp from yesterday.The price of gold will start today at just over US$2917/oz and little-changed from yesterday.Oil prices are down -50 USc to under US$66/bbl in the US and the international Brent price is just under US$69/bbl. Lower expected demand expectations are the reason.The Kiwi dollar is now at 57.5 USc and up +50 bps from yesterday. Against the Aussie however we are up +10 bps at 90.5 AUc. Against the euro we are down another -20 bps at 53.1 euro cents. That all means our TWI-5 starts today just over 66.7, and up +10 bps from yesterday.The bitcoin price started today at US$90,265 and up a net +0.3% from this time yesterday. Volatility over the past 24 hours has been moderate at +/- 2.5%.You can find links to the articles mentioned today in our show notes.You can get more news affecting the economy in New Zealand from interest.co.nz.Kia ora. I'm David Chaston. And we will do this again on Monday.

We've all heard the horror stories about carriers leaving a trucker stranded in the middle of nowhere – so what steps should you take if it happens to you? Then, we'll share the inside scoop about law enforcement ticket quotas with tips on steering clear of trouble. And finally, we're finally out of the pandemic era. We'll look at how the return to “normal” is shaping up on the spot market. 0:00 – Newscast 10:03 – Don't be left stranded 24:24 – Inside scoop on ticket quotas 38:53 – A return to “normal” on the spot market

Kia ora,Welcome to Friday's Economy Watch where we follow the economic events and trends that affect Aotearoa/New Zealand.I'm David Chaston and this is the international edition from Interest.co.nz.And today we lead with news trade and tariffs are in the headlines, but their impact of higher inflation and slower economic activity are just starting to be seen.US initial jobless claims rose sharply last week in seasonally adjusted terms, the largest rise in five month. In actual terms they were basically unchanged when seasonal factors would have normally brought a good reduction in claims. These initial claim levels are +10% high that year ago levels and there are now 2.17 mln people on these jobless benefits, also much higher than a year ago.US durable goods orders rose +3.1% in January from December, but there was a sharpish revision lower in the December data. The January level is +4.3% higher than year-ago levels. Non-defense capital goods were up +2.2% from a year ago.The second estimate of Q4-2024 GDP came in unchanged from the first at +2.3% growth. It would have been more but they noticed higher inflation in the period which trimmed the rising nominal expansion in the period.Pending home sales in the United States fell -5.2% in January from a year ago, following a -5% drop in December.And today's downbeat American economic data releases extended to the Kansas City Fed factory survey which fell in February, contracting by its most in five months.The US Administration said China will be hit with a new 10% tariff, the latest salvo in the US president's steadily escalating trade fights. That is on top of the earlier 10% already in place. The President also said he intended to move forward with a threatened 25% tax on imports from Canada and Mexico, which is set to come into effect on 4 March.So it is little wonder that inflation expectations are rising among Americans. Tariffs are a tax on yourself, and higher prices either result from more expensive imported goods, or they allow local producers to face much less price competition so those prices rise too. It will be impossible for the US Fed to ignore, and bond markets aren't either.But north of the border, Canada said weekly earnings are rising faster there. They rose +5.8% in December from a year ago in data released overnight, the fastest pace since March 2021.And staying in Canada, the reaction to the endless Trump insults are generating a "Buy Canada, Bye America" surge, and now apps are sprouting up enabling such choices right in shop and supermarket aisles. Apparently there are export markets for such services, especially in Europe.The tracking of consumer and business sentiment in the EU shows it is either holding or moving up in January. Now almost as may are positive as negative, which is the best they have had in almost three years, and slightly better than expected.With all the US tariff news, it will be no surprise to learn that container freight rates fell another -6% last week, taking them -30% lower than year-ago levels, and now only +85% higher than pre-pandemic levels. Usage of the Suez Canal is normalising now too. But bulk cargo rates shot up +32% last week from the week before to be -40% lower than year-ago levels.The UST 10yr yield is at 4.29%, up +2 bps from yesterday at this time.The price of gold will start today at just under US$2875/oz and down -US$35 from yesterday.Oil prices are up +US$1 at on US$70/bbl in the US and the international Brent price is now under US$74/bbl.The Kiwi dollar is now at 56.5 USc and down -60 bps from yesterday. Against the Aussie we are unchanged at 90.3 AUc. Against the euro we are down -10 bps at 54.2 euro cents. That all means our TWI-5 starts today just over 66.5, and down a net -40 bps from yesterday.The bitcoin price starts today at US$84,968 and -2.3% from this time yesterday. It is currently very much in a bear phase with prices only rising when there is minor volume, but falling sharply when there is high volume. Sellers are choosing their timing, and there are a lot of them. Volatility over the past 24 hours has been moderate at +/- 2.8%. You can find links to the articles mentioned today in our show notes.You can get more news affecting the economy in New Zealand from interest.co.nz.Kia ora. I'm David Chaston. And we will do this again on Monday.

With this week's edition of Overdrive Radio, we pick up where longtime Overdrive contributor, former OTR owner and current business coach Gary Buchs left off on the Overdrive Extra blog last week: https://www.overdriveonline.com/15736116/ There, as regular readers will know, he penned and published notes on the "fine art" of rates negotiation, with a special emphasis on ways to counterbalance the pressure so many owner-operators feel to move fast on load opportunities, given the speed at which loads come and go on the boards in particular. Compared to just a short time ago in history, freight "information's moving so much faster" in this day and age, Buchs said. "The speed ... interferes often with solid negotiation. When you speed that up, things get missed." Move too fast to just outright accept an offer, and you might neglect to consider fully that the good-sound long-haul run to the West Coast starts out due well east of Atlanta, with a load pickup time of 2 in the afternoon. If you didn't effectively build into your rate the added cost of traffic in Atlanta rush hours (or the time to wait it out, as it were), you're behind the eight ball before you even get started on the run. Buchs offered a different example of one among many details you can miss if you don't take the time to effectively negotiate. He's heard this one several times: An owner "got to a shipper and ... they wanted cash for the lumper and they didn't have cash," Buchs said, asking "How does that get missed if you do a lot of reefer work?" He advises owner-operators think about such scenarios: "What lessons do we learn when things don't go quite right? How do we apply the lesson we learn? Like when we overcommit or fail to anticipate travel times, drive times. ... Drivers and owner-operators feel the pressure of time squeezing them so much, and that interferes with our ability to tap that brake pedal, to pause for even just a moment. So we have to" be aware of that and "use our experience," he said, knowledge of routes and so much more. Today on the podcast, much more in the way of specific ideas built on Buchs' wealth of personal experience in business and with owners operating in the freight world today. Getting better at negotiation in general certainly isn't easy. "If we're going to get better, we've got to stop thinking that everything is going to be easy," as Buchs put it. But with some of these ideas, hopefully more can avoid participating in what might otherwise feel like an auction, where the “winner's curse” is almost always to be paying more than what an item is really worth, research has shown. In the freight world, that's the opposite. Win the load after race-to-the-bottom ping-ponging with the competition or accepting a broker's lowball offer blindly, and you'll certainly be getting compensated below the market value for the freight movement. In the podcast, Buchs also stresses starting with cost analysis, and recommends including salary needs on the cost side of the ledger when it comes to business profit analysis. It might help you in load-by-load profit analysis and negotiation, too. Overdrive's Load Profit Analyzer, our fairly simple online calculator introduced late last year, is an assist to analyze individual and/or compare multiple loads. The calculator includes on its front end places to use the knowledge and analysis Buchs talks about to input not just cost per mile overall, but variable cost per mile, fixed cost per day worked, and, again considering it on the cost side, a salary per day worked figure. Profit-potential results then show results not only per-mile but per day -- with salary added back in, too -- for better appreciation of the impact of time and fixed costs. The Load Profit Analyzer is free to use with registration: https://overdriveonline.com/load-analyzer

Full coverage of the recent Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee meeting on the truck parking crisis, from the role technology might play in addressing the problem to best practices and more. Then, we offer tips for ensuring your safety amid the rise in cargo theft and for avoiding the claims process. And lastly, things are finally looking up on the spot market as all that cautious optimism turns into relief and confidence. 0:00 – Newscast 9:56 – MCSAC meeting on truck parking crisis 24:25 – Ensuring your safety amid rise in cargo theft 39:24 – Market Update: from cautious optimism to relief and confidence

Kia ora,Welcome to Monday's Economy Watch where we follow the economic events and trends that affect Aotearoa/New Zealand.I'm David Chaston and this is the international edition from Interest.co.nz.And today we lead with news the economic world its returning after the end of year holiday season, and finding the 2024 worries are still here in 2025.First up however, the first post-New Year holiday week back will be a relatively quiet one, but there are still some important things to cover, and few of the key ones are local. But the week culminates with the December US non-farm payrolls report in the US, and that will increasingly dominate how the week goes. Markets currently expect a modest +150,000 rise in US jobs. That is close to 'average' over the past ten years. But don't forget that is the seasonally-adjusted result. Actual payroll shrink in the month usually, and that average over the past ten years is by -160,000. That is what we will be watching, because fewer actual people employed could have an outsized impact on metrics like retail sales and the like.The US will also release December services PMIs. A slightly softer expansion is expected. And China will release its important new yuan loan data, and the expectations are for another weak result. Eyes will also be on India's industrial production data, something that has been softish recently.Just as important for us, we will get more December real estate activity data this week. We will also get another full dairy auction on Wednesday, and the intervening Pulse results for both SMP and WMP have shown a marked softness since the last full auction event. And Barfoots are likely to release their December results later in the week.Over the weekend, the FAO World Food Price Index reported a -0.5% fall in December from an upwardly revised November. Dairy prices fell -0.7% but meat prices rose +0.4%. Overall this index is +6.6% higher than year-ago levels with dairy up +17% and meat up +7.0% on that annual basis.On the commodity front, both lithium and iron ore prices slipped on concerns about the prospects for the Chinese economy. The Shanghai stock exchange fell yet again, by -1.6% on Friday to be down a very sharp -5.5% for the week. And the benchmark yield for Chinese government bonds slumped to a new record low of 1.60% for the 10 year. The yuan fell, testing its lowest level since 2007 after their central bank stopped defending 7.3 to the USD.So China is ramping up its subsidy program for consumer durables, trying to spark some extra consumption activity.And China's central bank said late Friday during a quarterly meeting of its monetary policy committee that it will cut banks' reserve requirement ratio and interest rates at the “proper time”.So China is starting the New Year on the back foot.Across all reporting countries, the global factory PMI contracted slightly in December, shifting from the slight expansion in November. Good expansions in India, Taiwan, Canada, and China (among eight others) was offset and more by retreats in the US, Australia and especially the Europe (among seven others). On balance, it was soft new order levels that is turning the global tide.In the US, a good rise in new orders saw the widely-watched ISM factory PMI rise by 0.9 points in December from the previous month to record only a very minor contraction and very much better than was expected. The result reflected the softest pace of contraction in the US manufacturing sector since March. Oddly, the narrative for the internationally-benchmarked S&P/Markit PMI was the inverse with weaker new orders and slipping output. However, both surveys landed at the same spot, reporting a very minor contraction.US vehicle sales ended the year on a strong note, running at a 16 mln annualised rate. EV sales accounted for 9.0% of those, and a surge in demand for EVs helped heavyweight GM claim the top spot for all cars and now second only to Tesla in EVs. Tesla slipped back in the final quarter. (For reference, NZ EV sales in 2024 were 7.3%.)Over the weekend, two Fed governors (Daly and Kugler) both reiterated that the battle to control US inflation is not yet won. Another was more positive, but thought restrive rates should still stay in place until things are clearer.In Canada, their factory PMI delivered a solid performance with good new order levels and rising output contributing to a rising expansion.In Australia, SE NSW and NE Victoria have been hit by a headwave with temperatures as high as 45oC. But a wind-change has relieved things today. Bushfire season is well underway there.Containerised freight rates rose marginally last week (+3% overall), built on a +7% surge on Trans Pacific rates from China to the USWC. Traders are trying to beat what are expected to be new tariffs from the incoming US Administration. Bulk cargo rates stopped falling this week, essentially holding at an 18 month low.The UST 10yr yield is now at just on 4.60%, and up +1 bp from Saturday. The price of gold will start today at US$2639/oz and little-changed (-US$1) from this time Saturday.Oil prices are unchanged from this time Saturday at just on US$74/bbl in the US while the international Brent price is still just on US$76.50. Both are up +US$2.50 since this time last week and at a two-month high.The Kiwi dollar starts today just on 56.1 USc and unchanged from yesterday, but down -20 bps from a week ago. Against the Aussie we are down -10 bps to 90.2 AUc. Against the euro we are also down -10 bps at 54.4 euro cents. That all means our TWI-5 starts today at just over 66.8 and down -10 bps from this time Saturday - but essentially unchanged from a week ago.The bitcoin price starts today at US$98,070 and up +0.1% from this time on Saturday. Volatility over the past 24 hours has been low at +/- 0.8%.You can find links to the articles mentioned today in our show notes.You can get more news affecting the economy in New Zealand from interest.co.nz.Kia ora. I'm David Chaston. And we will do this again tomorrow.

Respiratory illness season is here, and a federal program is encouraging prevention. Dr. Donald Dumford of the Cleveland Clinic explains. Also, our countdown of the top trucking stories from 2024 continues with a look at an issue that runs deep – freight rates and, by extension, broker transparency. 0:00 – Freight rates, broker transparency make big headlines in 2024 10:06 – Act now to prevent sickness later

Kia ora,Welcome to Friday's Economy Watch where we follow the economic events and trends that affect Aotearoa/New Zealand.I'm David Chaston and this is the international edition from Interest.co.nz.And today we lead with news of deliberate chaos being constructed in Washington DC with a much higher prospect of a US Federal Government shutdown likely. Authorised funding expires later today / Friday, US time. Financial risks are sharply elevated today, and markets are pricing these in.Elsewhere, US jobless claims fell sharply last week and by more than can be accounted for by seasonal factors. There are now a bit less than 1.9 mln people on these benefits.The PhillyFed survey of factories in America's traditional rust belt turned very negative, the worst result since April 2023. Soft demand was behind this shift. Optimism about the future took a hit too.The Kansas City Fed's equivalent survey in its region wasn't so negative, but it wasn't positive either. Optimism was a bit better there however.American existing home sales in November rose, but to be fair it is still stuck in the very low range it has had post-pandemic which is even lower than the post-GFC range, and back to levels first seen in 1995. So the November rise in that perspective is kind of irrelevant, no matter what the industry peak body says.The US Conference Board leading index tracking rose in November. Higher building permits, high equity prices, rising average hours worked in manufacturing, and fewer initial jobless claims boosted the November result. But the December result will no doubt take a hit from the current Washington shenanigans.The final estimate for US Q3-2024 GDP raised the expansion to +3.1% and extending the good run they have had since mid-2022. The US economy delivered US$29.4 tln of economic activity in the past year, with the expansion of +US$1.4 tln and the most ever. And that describes what is at risk from bad policy.Elsewhere there were many central bank rate reviews.In Japan, the Bank of Japan held its key short-term interest rate unchanged at 0.25%, keeping it at the highest level since 2008. That was what financial markets expected. But the vote was split 8-1, with one board member wanting a +25 bps increase. Essentially they are waiting to see how destabilising the incoming American Administration will be. But the bank boss seems to have turned dovish in the circumstances, and that turn moved markets.In Taiwan, they kept their policy rate unchanged at 2%In the Philippines, they cut their rate by -25 bps to 5.75%.In Sweden, they cut by -25 bps to 2.5%.In Norway, they held at 4.5%.In England, they held unchanged at 4.75% with a split 6:3 vote with the dissenters wanting a cut. This is a pause as inflation starts to rise there again.In something of a surprise, Australian inflation expectations rose to 4.2% in December, ending their encouraging falls that started in September. It is not a result either the RBA or the Australian Treasury would have wanted.Container freight rates rose +8% last week but to be fair that was only because of a +26% rise in teh China-to-USWC route and a +17% rise in Chin-to-New York as traders raced to get ahead of the impending tariff threat. Other routes saw small declines. Bulk cargo rates fell another -7% last week to be less than half what they were a year ago and back to levels last seen in July 2023.Many mineral commodities are retreating in price in expectation 2025 will be tough, with copper down -2%.The UST 10yr yield is now at just on 4.59%, up a very sharp +19 bps from this time yesterday as markets digested the Fed's move and the deliberate mess being created by the incoming President.The price of gold will start today at US$2592/oz and down -US$42 from yesterday.Oil prices are down -US$2.50 to be just on US$69.50/bbl in the US while the international Brent price is now just under US$73.The Kiwi dollar starts today just on 56.5 USc and down -60 bps from yesterday. Against the Aussie we are down -40 bps to 90.3 AUc. Against the euro we are also down -10 bps to 54.5 euro cents. That all means our TWI-5 starts today at just on 67.1 to be down another -25 bps from yesterday at this time.The bitcoin price starts today at US$100,994 and down -3.1% from this time yesterday. Volatility over the past 24 hours has been high at +/- 3.1%.You can find links to the articles mentioned today in our show notes.You can get more news affecting the economy in New Zealand from interest.co.nz.Kia ora. I'm David Chaston. And we will do this again on Monday.

Kia ora,Welcome to Friday's Economy Watch where we follow the economic events and trends that affect Aotearoa/New Zealand.I'm David Chaston and this is the international edition from Interest.co.nz.And today we lead with news cost cutting and raising prices are key themes in US business at present - sure to challenge the Fed's policy path.First in the US, there was an outsized jump in the number of people making initial jobless claims, +310,000 for the week. That pushed up the number of people on these benefits to 1.94 mln. Employers now seem emboldened to cut staff before the holiday season with the incoming Administration likely to be very permissive on employment policies.US producer prices also came in higher than expected, rising in November from October, and from year-ago levels, but more than expected, up from +2.6% year-on-year in October (which was also the November expectation) to +3.0%. Inflation isn't beat.Canadian building consents were expected to fall back in October from the big September jump - and they did, although not by as much as expected.Key data from India came in pretty much as expected. Their November consumer inflation rate was 5.5% and a small reduction, and their October industrial production rose +3.5%, also a slowing. Food prices are rising much more than the overall level, but they are responsible for the most of the decline in the November rate.China's vehicle sales jumped by almost +12% to 3.3 million units in November from a year ago, accelerating sharply from a +7% rise in October. Beijing incentives seem to be working as intended, although they might be at the cost of spending in other sectors.China intends to ramp up economic support next year including measures to boost domestic consumption, as it braces for a fresh trade war with the U.S., a closely watched leadership meeting signaled on Thursday.At their annual Central Economic Work Conference, which sets the tone for the coming year's agenda, China's leaders pledged to "implement more proactive macro policies" and "expand domestic demand". Their statement listed supporting consumption and investment as top priorities for the economy next year. It is bracing for a fresh trade war with the US, and starting the adjustment now.As expected, the ECB cut its policy rates by -25 bps overnight, the fourth time this year, on a more favourable inflation outlook - their disinflation "is well on track".Meanwhile the Swiss central bank cut their policy rate by double that - by 50 bps - in an unexpectedly large cut. This marks the fourth straight rate reduction and the steepest since January 2015, bringing borrowing costs to their lowest since November 2022, returning them to just 0.5%.In Australia, their employment rose by +35,600 in November from October, up +334,500 in a year. That is a +2.1% annual rise. Monthly, full-time employment rose +52,600 while part-time employment fell -17,000. These gains were enough to push their jobless rate down from 4.1% to 3.9%, and unexpected improvement. (New Zealand's jobless rate was 4.8% in September.) For some, this is a good-news-is-bad-news item because it probably pushes back an RBA rate cut even further. The ASX200 fell on the news.Meanwhile, Australia's population rose +2.1% in the year to June, adding +552,000 and taking the total to 27.2 mln. Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia all rose faster than the national average. Victoria grew the most, up +165,000 to just shy of 7 mln. NSW was next, growing +143,000 to 8.5 mln. Bulk cargo freight rates fell another -5% last week from the prior week. And container freight rates were largely unchanged last week. Meanwhile, air cargo volumes grew almost +10% in October from the same month a year ago. International airfreight rose more than +10%, with Asia/Pacific volumes up more than +13%.The UST 10yr yield is now at just on 4.31%, uup +7 bps from this time yesterday.The price of gold will start today at US$2681/oz and down -US$33 from yesterday.Oil prices are down -50 USc to just on US$69.50/bbl in the US while the international Brent price is up +50 USc to now just under US$73/bbl. Following OPEC, the IEA is warning of a potential supply overhang in 2025 as demand remains modest and energy efficiency rises.The Kiwi dollar starts today at just under 57.9 USc and down -10 bps from this time yesterday. Against the Aussie we are down -30 bps at 90.6 AUc. Against the euro we are down -10 bps at 55.1 euro cents. That all means our TWI-5 starts today at just over 67.7 to be down another -10 bps from yesterday.The bitcoin price starts today at US$101690 and up +1.1% from this time yesterday. Volatility over the past 24 hours has been high at +/- 1.4%.You can find links to the articles mentioned today in our show notes.You can get more news affecting the economy in New Zealand from interest.co.nz.Kia ora. I'm David Chaston. And we will do this again on Monday.

Welcome to the latest episode of Furniture Industry News, where we bring you essential updates shaping the furniture market. In this episode, we cover:Retail Trends: Thanksgiving Weekend HighlightsHoliday Shopping Boom:207 million Americans (79% of U.S. adults) shopped over Thanksgiving weekend, up from 75% last year.In-store sales remain crucial: 78% of consumers either purchased in-store or used pickup services.70% made additional purchases while picking up online orders.Top shopping days:Black Friday: 39% of purchases.Cyber Monday: 19%.Looking ahead: 60% of shoppers still have holiday purchases pending.Shipping News: Container Rates Drop Amid Looming ChallengesCurrent trends:Rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles dropped 12%, now $3,719 per 40-ft container.Favorable rates driven by global fluctuations.Future pressures:Potential International Longshoremen's Association port strike in January 2025.Possible new tariffs may cause businesses to frontload shipments.Experts predict rates could rise significantly in early 2025.TikTok's Legal Challenges: Implications for Furniture MarketingA federal court upheld legislation requiring ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, to sell its U.S. stake by January 19, 2025.If no sale occurs, TikTok may face a U.S. ban.Businesses relying on TikTok's 170M U.S. user base should prepare alternative strategies.TikTok may appeal, but uncertainty looms, with a potential 90-day extension for active negotiations.Company News: Wayfair and Hooker Furnishings in FocusWayfair:Reports market share gains despite a challenging industry environment.Strategic priorities include:New rewards program.Enhanced delivery options.Expansion of Wayfair Professional (B2B).Hooker Furnishings:Reports a $7.3M operating loss in Q3, driven by:Layoff-related severance costs.Bankruptcy of a key customer.Positive outlook:Progress on cost-saving initiatives expected to save $10M annually by 2026.Home Meridian division posted its highest-ever gross margin (20.5%).Optimism for improvement with cooling inflation and interest rate trends.Thank you for tuning in! Stay updated by subscribing to Furniture Industry News.

Kia ora,Welcome to Friday's Economy Watch where we follow the economic events and trends that affect Aotearoa/New Zealand.I'm David Chaston and this is the international edition from Interest.co.nz.And today we lead with news all eyes are on the US non-farm payrolls report due out tomorrow, and market activity is hesitant in advance of that.US jobless claims came in at +210,000 last week, a good decrease from the prior week. But it was not as large a drop as the seasonality suggests it should have been, so it counts as a 'rise' on the headline basis. Continuing claims were 1.66 mln and that fall was more than the seasonal effects expected.There are still very few announced job cuts in this huge labour market.So that will probably mean the US November non-farm payrolls report will be a positive one when it is released tomorrow morning. Markets currently expect +200,000 more jobs filled.The US Fed's November Beige Book describes a moderately expanding overall economy.US exports came in at US$266 bln in October, about the 2024 monthly average even though they slipped from the prior month. But they were +1.9% higher than the same month a year ago, in a rising trend that started in June 2023. Imports slipped in October too from the prior month, but these also stayed at about the 2024 monthly average. The US trade deficit in both goods and services reduced in October and runs at under -3% of GDP, a level easily absorbed in such a large country, especially one whose currency is the standard for international trade.Canadian exports and imports both rose in October, and their trade deficit - although on a rising trend - has an even smaller impact on their economy.In Europe, although it slipped in October from September, the volume of EU retail trade was up +2.1% from the same month a year ago. This is perhaps a surprising show of resilience for an economy that is being widely panned as struggling.On the global logistics front, perhaps we should note the Global Supply Chain Pressure Index that the NY Fed monitors. In November, it eased slightly. After the sharp pandemic pressures it eased noticeable in April 2023 and has seen no return since then, despite the ups and downs of things like the major canal stresses. The global logistics network has been remarkably resilient, the pandemic excepted.And last week, global container freight rates rose +6% from the prior week to be +150% higher than pre-pandemic levels still. There were sharp rises in the China-to-Europe trade, more than enough to offset sharp fall in the Chine-to-USWC trade. Going the other way there was a very sharp drop in bulk cargo rates, down -22% from the prior week to their lowest since September 2023 and actually back to levels first reached in 1987.The UST 10yr yield is now at just on 4.18%, down -2 bps from yesterday.The price of gold will start today at US$2637/oz and down -US$15 from this time yesterday.Oil prices are -US$1 lower at US$69.50/bbl in the US while the international Brent price is now just under US$72.50/bbl. These low prices forced OPEC to delay its planned output hike in January.The Kiwi dollar starts today at 58.7 USc and unchanged from this time yesterday. Against the Aussie we up +10 bps at 91.2 AUc. Against the euro we have dipped -10 bps to 55.6 euro cents. That all means our TWI-5 starts today at just on 68.3, and again unchanged from yesterday.The bitcoin price starts today at US$100,825 and up +6.0% from this time yesterday. Volatility over the past 24 hours has been very high at +/- 4.7%. At one point it reached US$103,000, at another back under $100,000.You can find links to the articles mentioned today in our show notes.You can get more news affecting the economy in New Zealand from interest.co.nz.Kia ora. I'm David Chaston. And we will do this again on Monday.

Freight rates are crucial in the shipping industry, underpinning the operations of shipowners, carriers, and trading companies. Over the past two decades, various studies have aimed to model these rates, employing various approaches to study different sectors of the shipping industry. A research team led by Qing Liu and Luqi Ke at the University of Hamburg presents a new review of these studies, which have important implications for the future of freight rate modelling.

In this episode of my Freight Broker Boot Camp, I will talk about Freight Quotes and Freight Rates. I specifically share how to do freight quotes for shippers as a freight broker. Learning how to do freight quotes is a critical part of success in the freight broker business. Enjoy! Download the FREE Cheat Sheet here!: www.FreightBrokerBootCamp.com/FreightQuote Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction [00:43] The reason why freight rates are very dynamic [02:12] Step #1 - make sure you get detailed info about the shipment [03:24] Step #2 - Use online rating tools to understand lane pricing [04:28] Step #3 - Post your load to loadboards [05:58] Step #4 - You can also call trucks that match the lane you posted [07:02] Step #5 - You have to add your mark-up [08:00] Download the FREE Cheat Sheet here!: www.FreightBrokerBootCamp.com/FreightQuote [08:19] Get Your Freight Broker Training NOW! - www.FreightBrokerBootCamp.com [08:50] Subscribe, Rate & Review! ---------------------------------- If you enjoyed this episode, please RATE / REVIEW and SUBSCRIBE to ensure you never miss an episode. Connect w/ Dennis & Learn More! Connect with me on LinkedIn Learn to Become A Freight Broker/Agent in 30 Days or Less! Watch Freight Broker Training Videos FREE

Spark Commodities CEO Tim Mendelssohn joins NGI's managing editor of LNG, Jamison Cocklin, to discuss how bearish market fundamentals have been driving down freight rates for LNG cargoes. A “massive vessel oversupply,” combined with delays in U.S. LNG export projects, has pushed freight rates well below market expectations.  Mendelssohn explains why these rates could remain low for the foreseeable future and explores the potential implications for the LNG shipping market as new export facilities come online in the years to come.

Kia ora,Welcome to Friday's Economy Watch where we follow the economic events and trends that affect Aotearoa/New Zealand.I'm David Chaston and this is the international edition from Interest.co.nz.Today we lead with news we need to get ready for a +3o future and start adapting for it.But first, initial jobless claims in the US came in at just 203,000 last week, much lower than expected. There are now 1.635 mln on these benefits. We are about a week away from getting the US non-farm payrolls report and current estimates are that it expanded just +140,000 in October. That may be conservative.But the Chicago Fed's monitoring of their National Activity Index reveals a slip in September.But in October that may have picked up, and substantially. The S&P/Markit US factory PMI contracted its least in three months, and their services PMI is still expanding at a good pace and has been for six months now. This helps explain why employment has been stronger than expected for some time.The other encouraging feature of these PMI reports is that inflation pressures seem absent now.The Kansas City Fed's regional factory survey showed these trends; factory activity barely contracting now which was a sharp improvement from September. And their services sector was expanding still.Although firms in both regional and national surveys are increasingly optimistic about the future, they seem to be ignoring - or looking past - the damage the extended Boeing strike will cause. More here.Also encouraging for them is that American new home sales were on the rise in September, rising to a 738,000 annual rate, its highest since the outlier May 2023 spike. The September level is +6.3% higher than a year ago. This time, new home sales seems to be on a rising trend.In Japan their flash October PMI report shows a contraction too in their factory sector, but also only a minor one. But output and new order levels slipped at a slightly faster rate. Their services sector isn't expanding either according to this same report, a slip from the prior month. Apparently Japanese businesses are struggling to adapt to their modest inflation pressures.Korea reported its Q3-2024 GDP yesterday, revealing a +1.5% growth rate, lower than the +2% expected at the +2.3% in Q2-2024.India's October PMIs stayed strongly expansionary. New order levels were high. But there are signs of serious overheating, and inflation in India is a building concernThere is no overheating in the EU with everything ticking lower in October. But at least their service sector is still expanding.In Australia, their October PMI survey reveals that their factory sector is at a 53 month low with a moderate contraction. Their services sector however is holding its own - just.An updated UN report shows that we have essentially run out of time to cut greenhouse gas emissions. We are on track for a +3% rise in global temperatures and that will radically change how the planet operates, most of it not good. The difference between rhetoric and action is stark. China (+5.2% rise in emissions) and India (+6.1%) are overwhelming the US (-1.4%) and EU (-7.5%) restraint. Together China and India released 20,140 MtCO2e of greenhouse gas, 38% of the global total. Together the US and the EU released 9,200 MtCO2e or 17%. Neither China nor India are likely to heed the evidence, and if Trump is elected, the US will likely switch sides - so it will now be all up to how we adapt. Fortunately, New Zealand is in a relatively good position (or less-bad position).Container freight rates fell another -4% last week but are still +118% higher than the 2019 pre-pandemic average. Again it was outbound China routes that fell but there was also a slip in rates from the US to China. Bulk cargo rates fell a sharper -12.5% last week, to be -28% lower than a year ago and back to pre-pandemic levels.The UST 10yr yield is now at just on 4.19% and down -6 bps from this time yesterday.The price of gold will start today at US$2732/oz and up +US$12 from yesterday.Oil prices are -50 USc softer at just on US$70/bbl in the US while the international Brent price is now just over US$74/bbl.The Kiwi dollar starts today at 60.1 USc and up +10 bps from this time yesterday. Against the Aussie we are also up +10 bps at 90.6 AUc. Against the euro we are down -10 bps at 55.6 euro cents. That all means our TWI-5 starts today at just on 68.9, and down -10 bps from yesterday at this time.The bitcoin price starts today at US$67,558 and up +2.5% from this time yesterday. Volatility over the past 24 hours has been moderate at just on +/- 2.1%.You can find links to the articles mentioned today in our show notes.You can get more news affecting the economy in New Zealand from interest.co.nz.Kia ora. I'm David Chaston. And we will do this again on Monday.

Kia ora,Welcome to Friday's Economy Watch where we follow the economic events and trends that affect Aotearoa/New Zealand.I'm David Chaston and this is the international edition from Interest.co.nz.Today we lead with global economic attention should have shifted to tomorrow's labour market report for September, but the US waterfront strike, and the Middle East tensions has sidelined it.However first in the US, there was a minor dip in the actual number of initial jobless claims last week, but a lesser dip than expected. There are now 1.62 mln people on these benefits, the lowest level since November 2023.And as you would expect, the level of job cuts in the US has remained very low.Tomorrow's non-farm payrolls labour market reports is expected to show a rise in payroll jobs of +130,000.Perhaps in something of surprise after the wavering factory PMI, the ISM services PMI came in much better than expected. It revealed the strongest growth in this sector since February 2023, amid faster increases in business activity and new orders. And that was mirrored by the internationally benchmarked version.US factory orders in August weren't as strong, little changed from the prior month to be -0.6% lower than the same month a year ago.The US East Coast & Gulf port strike is entering its third day, unresolved. But there are signs of progress in negotiations. The Canadian port strike has ended now.With China closed for holidays, all the equity market signals are being squeezed into Hong Kong which remains open. And that is not good for their property stocks which have had a heady run-up based on the stimulus signals. Now those property stocks are falling just as sharply as investors realise the fundamentals are just not there. And the expected ¥10 tln fiscal 'bazooka' has still be be launched. It is still being talked about and is still expected, but it won't happen till after the holiday week at the earliest.In the EU, there are signs that producer prices are rising again, up +0.4% in the bloc in August from July, but down -2.3% for the year to August which was a lesser rate of decline from the prior month.And later today, the EU is expected to approve an increase in tariffs to as much as 45% on electric cars imported from China, a move that officials said would help protect European carmakers from a glut of cheaper vehicles directly subsidised by Beijing.Those same subsidies have caused Toyota to pull back on developing EVs, because they are no longer commercial to produce.In China, price cuts along with those government subsidies helped the likes of BYD to boost monthly deliveries to all-time highs in September.Australian exports retreated slightly in August, but their imports retreated more, so their monthly merchandise trade surplus stayed at about AU$5.6 bln. But that was only because gold exports stayed strong boosted by sharply rising gold prices. Without those, their surplus would have halved.The latest IMF review of Australia isn't entirely convinced they have a sustainable disinflation trend underway and they warn them to prepare to do more to get price stability. They also say Australia needs to build many more houses in its efforts to tackle unaffordable housing and its pressures.Container freight rates fell another -5% last week as weak demand overcame the costs of the security issues in the Middle East. But that only dipped prices to 146% of pre-pandemic levels. Last week's weakness was mainly outbound China to Europe. The transpacific rate levels were unchanged. (Backhaul prices are now very low.) Bulk cargo freight rates slipped -2% last week after a long runup. They are now about +13% higher than year-ago levels, the same from the pre-pandemic period.The UST 10yr yield is now at just on 3.84% and up another +6 bps from yesterday. The price of gold will start today at US$2655/oz and up +US$5 from yesterday.Oil prices are up +US$3.50 at just on US$73.50/bbl in the US while the international Brent price is still just under US$77.50/bbl. Middle-East tensions are now starting to affect these prices as the never-ending 'retaliation' cycle shows no sign of ending.The Kiwi dollar starts today at 62.2 USc and down -½c from this time yesterday. Against the Aussie we are -20 bps lower at 90.8 AUc. Against the euro we are down -40 bps to 56.4 euro cents. That all means our TWI-5 starts today at just under 70, and down -30 bps from yesterday.The bitcoin price starts today at US$61,134 and down another -2.9% from this time yesterday. Volatility over the past 24 hours has stayed modest at just on +/- 1.8%.You can find links to the articles mentioned today in our show notes.You can get more news affecting the economy in New Zealand from interest.co.nz.Kia ora. I'm David Chaston. And we will do this again on Monday.

Arrive Logistics' David Spencer foresees a significant impact on freight rates from Hurricane Helene and the possible port strike. Also, OOIDA's advocacy counsel, Paul Torlina, gives us a sneak peek inside the presentation on factoring he'll give at the upcoming Truck To Success seminar. And Jim Nebergall of Cummins offers some insight into what the engine maker is doing regarding hydrogen combustion as a fuel for trucks. 0:00 – Rates likely to react to hurricane, potential strike 10:07 – Factoring – when to use it, when not to 25:00 – Engine maker puts resources into hydrogen combustion

Kia ora,Welcome to Friday's Economy Watch where we follow the economic events and trends that affect Aotearoa/New Zealand.I'm David Chaston and this is the international edition from Interest.co.nz.Today we lead with news stock markets are roaring today after the US Fed rate cut, many, including Wall Street, powering up to record highs. And interest rate curves are steepening.But first, the actual number of people making initial unemployment benefit claims in the US dropped from the previous week to 185,000 last week, significantly lower than the expected 230,000, and a 4-month low. There are now 1.68 mln people on these benefits, also a decrease.Meanwhile the Philly Fed factory survey reported improved conditions in the rust-belt states in September. Although the new orders component didn't rise, the sentiment indexes for the future all did.But not rising is their real estate market. Existing home sales fell -2.5% in August from the previous month, the fourth decline of the year. It was down -4.2% from the same month a year ago. The fall happened despite the drop in mortgage rates in the period. And the median existing-home sales price fell too, to US$416,900 (NZ$670,000). The inventory of unsold housing rose rose to 18 weeks of sales at the latest rate, rising from 15.6 weeks in the prior month.But one thing the Fed rate cut did was suddenly drop home loan interest rates, falling more than -25 bps in the first day to 6.09% for their benchmark mortgage. It is likely to go sharly lower tomorrow again.The US current account deficit widened slightly to -3.7% of GDP in Q2-2024. That is entirely manageable, especially as the USD is still the world's reserve currency. (For comparison, the New Zealand current account deficit is running at -6.7% of our GDP - and we are certainly not a reserve currency.)Overnight there were central bank rate decisions in both Taiwan and England. Both made no changes. Perhaps the Taiwanese one was a bit of a surprise because they tend to follow the US Fed's moves. Later today Japan will also review rates, and no change in their rate is expected either. But markets will be looking for signals about when the next rise is coming.Will the start of the rate easing cycle trigger an economic upside? Certainly some commodities markets think so. And they also expect China to come to the party soon with new emergency stimulus, which would be another boost.In Hong Kong, a man was jailed for 14 months for wearing a t-shirt with a protest message.In Australia, their number of workers without a job fell by -10,500 to 627,000, or an unchanged 4.2% of their workforce. Even though employment rose by much more than the expected +25,000, the number of new part-time roles rose +47,500 and the number of new full-time roles fell -3,100 in August. Almost 31% of all Aussie jobs are now part-time. (In New Zealand it is barely touching 20%.)The overall jobs growth in Australia has analysts thinking that the RBA will delay any move to cut rates there any time soon. But a rise doesn't seem on the cards either, despite their outlier sticky inflation.Container freight rates fell another -5% last week, taking them back to where they were at the start of the year. But they remain 180% higher than the average 2019 pre-pandemic rate. The Panama issues are resolved, but the Suez/Red Sea issues are not. The shipping industry is adjusting to that new reality however. Bulk cargo rates fell -3.6% over the past week and are now themselves +30% higher than year-ago levels. As we all know, for both there has been a lot of volatility in between and that volatility has probably not ended.The UST 10yr yield is now at just on 3.73% and up +2 bps from this time yesterday. The key 2-10 yield curve is now +14 bps positive. Wall Street is surging today with the S&P500 up +1.8% from yesterday after the Fed decision. Overnight, European markets were all up too, but with varying enthusiasm. Tokyo ended its Thursday trade up is own strong +2.1%. Shanghai was up a more modest +0.7. But Hong Kong closed up +2.0%. Singapore was up +1.1%. The price of gold will start today at US$2589/oz and up +US$14 from yesterday's high to near a new all-time high again.Oil prices are up +US$1.50 at US$72/bbl in the US while the international Brent price is still just under US$75/bbl.The Kiwi dollar starts today at 62.5 USc and up +10 bps from yesterday. Against the Aussie we are down -20 bps at 91.6 AUc although all of that before the Fed. Against the euro we are up +10 bps at 56 euro cents. That all means our TWI-5 starts today at 69.9, and up +10 bps from yesterday.The bitcoin price starts today at US$63,817 and up another strong +5.6% from this time yesterday. Volatility over the past 24 hours has been high at just on +/- 3.6%.You can find links to the articles mentioned today in our show notes.You can get more news affecting the economy in New Zealand from interest.co.nz.Kia ora. I'm David Chaston. And we will do this again on Monday.

Kia ora,Welcome to Friday's Economy Watch where we follow the economic events and trends that affect Aotearoa/New Zealand.I'm David Chaston and this is the international edition from Interest.co.nz.Today we lead with news it is Friday the 13th, so don't expect too much from the day.The actual number of American jobless claims last week were +178,000, a one year low, taking the total number of people on these benefits to 1.71 mln, a nine month low. But the seasonally adjusted level reported was +230,000. It is unclear why the variance is so large this week.Meanwhile, American producer prices rose +1.7% in the year to August, the lowest in six months, easing from a downwardly revised +2.1% gain in July and below market expectations of +1.8%. Their 'core' PPI rose +2.4% however emphasising the role much cheaper energy costs are playing in keeping inflation down.The September USDA WASDE report confirmed global wheat and rice production will be higher than expected earlier in the year, coarse grains slightly less. They also say American beef imports will rise on rising demand. American milk production is expected to slip on lower local production.There was another well-supported US Treasury 30 year bond auction overnight delivering a 3.95% median yield. That is down sharply from the 4.22% yield at the prior equivalent event a month ago.India's inflation rate rose to 3.65% in August from an upwardly revised 3.60% in July (which was the lowest since August 2019). But the August level was above forecasts of 3.55%.. However, these levels are below the RBI's targets, and while food prices are still rising at a +5.7% rate, that is down from year-ago levels of +9.9%. It is this base effect change that is making overall price increases look low.Meanwhile, India's July industrial production was up +4.8%, about the average level it has been for all of 2024.In China, markets are expecting some significant cuts for interest rates for home loan borrowers soon. These were signaled earlier, but are now imminent. At the same time Beijing is rounding up investment bankers, taking passports, and investigating them for 'corruption'. Despite all this, their government bond sector is rallying sharply today in defiance of Beijing's efforts to calm matters. Equity prices are falling, also on the uncertainty, and in contrast to what is happening in other global markets.As expected the ECB cut its policy rates but they varied a lot this time by type of facility. The deposit rate was cut by -25 bps to 3.50%. But the main refinancing operations rate and the marginal lending facility rate were lowered to 3.65% and 3.90%, both from 4.00%, so these cuts are larger. They see a better inflation outlook and "better transmission of policy". They are also facing a weaker level of economic activity in the bloc. Their balance sheet reductions continue at an unchanged pace.It seems the Australian central bank is right to be sceptical inflation is trending in the way they need it to. Consumer inflation expectations are still at 4.4% in September in Australia, only slightly down from August's 4-month high of 4.5%. Perhaps the situation will turn soon. The same survey showed that respondents expected total pay was expected to grow by just +1.4% over the next 12 months.World container freight rates fell a rather sharp -13% last week as the shipping industry adjusts to the Suez Canal risks, and the Panama Canal drought impacts fade. Prices were down -13% last week from the week before to be only about double what they were a year ago. This is counted as 'progress'. The biggest falls were for cargoes outbound from China. But bulk freight rates are rising, up +3% over the past week but they are +60% higher than a year agoThe UST 10yr yield is now at just on 3.68% and up +3 bps from yesterday. The price of gold will start today up a significant +US$40 from yesterday at US$2554/oz and almost touching its record high of US$2555 on September 12, 2024. In fact, as we publish, it may have bested that ATH level.Oil prices are up another +US$1.50 at just on US$69/bbl in the US while the international Brent price is now just over US$72/bbl.The Kiwi dollar starts today at 61.6 USc and +30 bps firmer from this time yesterday. Against the Aussie we are down -10 bps at 91.9 AUc. Against the euro we are +20 bps firmer at 55.8 euro cents. That all means our TWI-5 starts today at 69.5, and +20 bps higher from yesterday.The bitcoin price starts today at US$58,242 and up almost +1.0% from this time yesterday. Volatility over the past 24 hours has been modest at just under +/- 1.1%.You can find links to the articles mentioned today in our show notes.You can get more news affecting the economy in New Zealand from interest.co.nz.Kia ora. I'm David Chaston. And we will do this again on Monday.

In this episode of Everything is Logistics, we dig into the e-commerce scene and why SHEIN is at the center of the conversation, with SHEIN and Temu making up a whopping 30% of all e-commerce shipments coming through the West Coast.Grace Sharkey and I also chat about the flood of these tax-free shipments and how customs and border folks are scrambling to keep up. Plus, we'll take a closer look at SHEIN's business practices on the retail and influencer side.LINKS:Freight Friends: Surviving Conference Season, Fav Biz Ideas, Cargo Crimes and moreFast Fashion, Freight Rates and Conspiracies: Unraveling the ComplexitiesSearch for Ethical BrandsGrace's Article on Using AI in Customs-border Trade ComplianceAlibaba's tools for cross border shipping and global sourcing with Yikun ShaoWATCH THE FULL EPISODE HEREFeedback? Ideas for a future episode? Shoot us a text here to let us know.---------------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!Are you experienced in freight sales or already an independent freight agent? Listen to our Freight Agent Trenches interview series powered by SPI Logistics to hear directly from the company's agents on how they took the leap and found a home with SPI freight agent program. Tai TMS is designed to streamline your brokerage operations and propel growth for both FTL and LTL shipment cycles. Book a demo with the Tai team today and tell them Everything is Logistics sent you. Trimble is transforming the way the world works through industry leading solutions that reduce cost and maximize productivity. Learn more about Trimble Technology here.Digital Dispatch maximizes your #1 sales tool with a website that establishes trust and builds rock-solid relationships with your leads and customers. Check out our website services here.

Kia ora,Welcome to Friday's Economy Watch where we follow the economic events and trends that affect Aotearoa/New Zealand.I'm David Chaston and this is the international edition from Interest.co.nz.Today we lead with news financial markets in the US have the jitters ahead of a key speech by Fed boss Powell tomorrow at the Jackson Hole central bank shindig. Equities fell, bond yields rose, and the USD firmed and expectations grew Powell will make the case for only a gradual pace of rate cuts.Meanwhile, US jobless claims actually fell last week and by about what was expected. But the seasonally-adjusted level rose and that wasn't expected and that grabbed the headlines in the absence of any other major economic news. There are now 1.86 mln people on these benefits, also a fall.The 'flash' US PMIs from S&P/Markit shows their factory sector contracting slightly but their services sector expanding faster. New order levels are problem for their manufacturing sector. But service sector activity grew at a solid and increased rate in August, and because that sector is far larger than the factory sector, that points to robust GDP growth in excess of 2% annualised in the third quarter, which should help allay near-term recession fears.The Chicago Fed's National Activity Index for July basically confirmed the manufacturing slowdown.But the Kansas City Fed factory survey held on with an improvement in August, showing there are some regions still improving in their manufacturing sector.Also improving were the July existing home sales which rose modestly at about the expected level and that ended a four month retreat. But despite that, the sales volume levels essentially remained at the low levels they have had since early 2023. And on a broader perspective, sales volumes at this level were first achieved in the mid-1970s, and were the levels in the GFC. So July's rise is a very low bar.In Canada (and the US), all eyes are on a stoppage in their key rail network due to industrial action. It is a lockout, and it will have many spillover impacts in both countries.In India, the expansion rolls on for both their factory and services sectors in an impressive way, with them shrugging off capacity issues in their factory sector with a notable rise in job creation. 'Growth' is creating many more employment opportunities.In Japan, although it rose, its August factory PMI is still contracting, slightly. On the other had Japan's service sector is expanding at a good rate. That is the seventh consecutive expansion in their services sector.In China, Reuters is reporting that regulators there will likely impose a six-month business suspension on a big part of PwC's auditing unit in the mainland as a penalty for its work on troubled property developer Evergrande.In Europe, business activity rose at faster pace in August, but the rate of new order intake continued to ease. The uptick in business activity is largely due to the Paris Olympics however, so that probably won't last.In Australia, their August PMI's sort of mirrors Japan but at a slightly lower level. The factory PMI is up but still contracting. Their services PMI is expanding although only at a modest rate.Global container freight rates slipped another -2% is a continuation of the minor moves down from the extreme July heights, with the basic pressures unresolved. These rates are still almost three times higher than pre-pandemic and pre-canal-pressure levels. There is no real sign of a proper normalising. Bulk freight rates rose slightly last week.The UST 10yr yield is now at just on 3.86% and up +8 bps from this time yesterday.The price of gold will start today down -US$27 from yesterday at US$2482/oz.Oil prices are recovered yesterday's US$1.50 drop, now back at US$73/bbl in the US while the international Brent price is now just under US$77/bbl.The Kiwi dollar starts today down -30 bps from yesterday at 61.3 USc. Against the Aussie we are up +10 bps too at 91.5 AUc. Against the euro we are still at 55.3 euro cents. That all means our TWI-5 starts today at 69.4 and little-changed.The bitcoin price starts today at US$60,305 and up +0.7% from this time yesterday in its recent yoyo pattern. Volatility over the past 24 hours has been modest at just under +/- 1.6%.You can find links to the articles mentioned today in our show notes.You can get more news affecting the economy in New Zealand from interest.co.nz.Kia ora. I'm David Chaston. And we will do this again on Monday.

In this episode of the Trucking for Millennials podcast, we had the pleasure of hosting Ken Adamo, the Chief of Analytics at DAT Solutions. Ken brought a wealth of knowledge and insights into the world of freight analytics, sharing his expertise on how data can drive better decision-making in the logistics industry. We kicked off the conversation by discussing the challenges of absorbing and utilizing analytic information in the freight industry. Ken emphasized the importance of mastering the basics of pricing freight and understanding market conditions before diving into more advanced analytics. He shared practical advice for small brokers on how to effectively use DAT's tools to price freight accurately and make informed decisions. Ken also provided a fascinating history of DAT, which started as a dial-a-truck load finder service in 1978 at a truck stop in Portland, Oregon. He highlighted the evolution of freight analytics over the years and the importance of historical data in understanding market trends. We delved into the impact of election years on freight rates, with Ken explaining how political uncertainty can affect investment and, consequently, the freight market. He also touched on the cyclical nature of the freight industry, describing the typical four-year cycles of expansion and contraction and where we currently stand in that cycle. One of the key takeaways from our discussion was the importance of contract freight for brokers. Ken explained that while securing contract freight can ensure long-term success, it also requires careful planning and accurate forecasting to avoid potential pitfalls. Ken's passion for logistics and freight was evident throughout the conversation. He shared his journey from working in deregulated energy to falling in love with the complexities of the freight industry at FedEx. His enthusiasm for data and analytics was contagious, and he provided valuable insights into how brokers and carriers can leverage data to improve their operations. Overall, this episode was packed with actionable advice and deep insights into the world of freight analytics. Whether you're a small broker looking to improve your pricing strategies or a carrier navigating the complexities of the market, Ken's expertise offers valuable guidance to help you succeed in the ever-evolving logistics landscape.

Hello and welcome back to Freight Up, the number 1 commodities and freight markets podcast from FIS. We're your hosts, Jess, and Davide, and in this episode of Freight Up, we're joined by Ben Klang, who breaks down the latest trends in the dry freight market, Hao Pei provides an insightful analysis of the new Chinese stimulus package's impact on the iron ore market, Archie Smith gives us a comprehensive overview of the current state of the oil market.Whether you're a current client or someone who's thinking of working with us, this episode's packed with essential information to keep you informed on the critical movements within the trading sphere. Listen in as we explore these topics and more on Freight Up!Remember, follow "Freight Up" in your favourite podcast app, and find us on LinkedIn! And check out our app FIS Live for the latest insights. Thanks in advance for listening to this Freight and Commodity podcast by FIS!Useful links:FIS LiveTimestamps00:00 Freight rates declined while fuel prices dropped.04:43 Panamaxis and supermax index rates fluctuate downward.07:45 Short-run metals trade crowded, impacting gold, silver, copper, zinc.10:02 Crude oil price remained range-bound, supported.14:08 Subscribe and follow for future podcast updates.

In this episode, we do a deep dive into the dry freight market and how bulk commodities are shipped around the world and by whom. As the commodities markets themselves become more efficient, freight markets are starting to represent one of the biggest sources of risk and opportunity available to traders and charterers. This, in turn, is driving convergence between the traditional separation between ship owners, charterers and the traders. What is the structure of the market for dry freight? How do participants use Freight Forward Agreements? What is the impact on talent? And how could coming technology disrupt and develop this volatile corner of the commodities world. Our guest is Mads Frank Markussen, Head of Research and Market Intelligence at the European ship owner and freight trader, Navi Merchants

Markets in Motion: Dry Freight Gains, Middle East Tensions, and Iron Ore UpdatesHello and welcome back to Freight Up, the number 1 commodities and freight markets podcast from FIS. We're your hosts, Jess, and Davide, and in this episode of Freight Up we'll dissect the latest geopolitical events impacting our sectors, from the Middle Eastern tensions and their muted effect on crude oil, to the unexpected surge in cocoa prices due to West African crop shortfalls.In this episode, Ben Klang decodes the dry freight market's roller coaster ride, while Hao Pei predicts the iron ore market's resistance to a short-term correction. Our people's broker and resident fuel oil expert Archie Smith reports to us remotely from Dubai, shining a light on the rising cracks in fuel oil prices this month.Brace yourselves for another 'deep dive' into the seas of freight and commodities. Remember, follow "Freight Up" in your favourite podcast app, and find us on LinkedIn! And check out our app FIS Live for the latest insights. Thanks in advance for listening to this Freight and Commodity podcast by FIS!Useful links:FIS LiveTimestamps00:00 Middle East tensions ease, commodities fluctuate. Fed adjusts.04:21 TC index down 7% then rebounded. Market sentiment improved.08:16 High market, steel margin drop, iron ore strategy.09:36 Steel demand may gradually increase over months.13:09 OPEC cuts impacting high sulphur crude market.

#TheFreightCoach Morning Show is The TOP Transportation Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to breakdown THREE transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars! https://www.fleetowner.com/operations/article/55001773/freight-rates-load-to-truck-ratios-trending-up To Donate To The Make A Wish Foundation:  https://secure2.wish.org/site/TR/WalkForWishes/Make-A-WishSouthernNevada?team_id=47767&pg=team&fr_id=5522  Check out my YouTube Channel for further industry insights! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw Make sure to subscribe and share! They are the new wave for freight brokers and freight brokerages to separate themselves from the competition! Thank you to my sponsor: https://www.greenscreens.ai/thefreightcoach  Ditch your carrier packet, Drive more carrier sales and get better load coverage with seamless digital onboarding, TMS integration, and smart load coverage, visit: https://brokercarrier.com/

#TheFreightCoach Morning Show is The TOP Transportation Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to breakdown THREE transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars! To Donate To The Make A Wish Foundation:  https://secure2.wish.org/site/TR/WalkForWishes/Make-A-WishSouthernNevada?team_id=47767&pg=team&fr_id=5522  Check out my YouTube Channel for further industry insights! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw Make sure to subscribe and share! They are the new wave for freight brokers and freight brokerages to separate themselves from the competition! Thank you to my sponsor: https://www.greenscreens.ai/thefreightcoach  Ditch your carrier packet, Drive more carrier sales and get better load coverage with seamless digital onboarding, TMS integration, and smart load coverage, visit: https://brokercarrier.com/

The OOIDA Foundation is out with the results of two new surveys – one on detention time, the other on freight rates. Andrew King of the OOIDA Foundation stops by to discuss the topics. Also, the final push to keep FMCSA from imposing a speed limiter mandate has begun. We'll get an update on that from Jami Jones and Mark Schremmer of Land Line Magazine. And do you view trucking as a job or a career? Marty Ellis has seen both kinds of truckers – and he has a few thoughts on the subject. 0:00 – Newscast  10:00 – Survey says detention time is down – but there's a catch 24:52– Final push to stop speed limiters underway 39:54 – Do you see trucking as a job or a career?

Hey, Omni Talk fans!

The situation in the Red Sea is worsening and freight rates are on the rise in some subsectors. Can the situation escalate into a new inflation spiral and what does it mean for the positive 2024 outlooks from right about every investment bank? We discuss the situation with a selection of analysts at Steno Research.If you find our research valuable, please visit www.stenoresearch.com - there is always a 14 day free trial and you can use the code Macro30 to get 30% off your subscription until Jan 15! Hosts: Andreas Steno, Mikkel Rosenvold, Mads Eberhardt & Emil MøllerIf you enjoy our content, Please subscribe to our Youtube Channel ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/23hp3vah#podcast #economy #banking #economics #trading  #interestrate#useconomy#macroeconomy#cryptocurrency #crypto #mortgageinterestrates#usgdp#economicrecession#usrecession#softlanding

Is the truck parking situation improving? We cover a new study that suggests there is more truck parking capacity than there was two years ago, and more, in our latest installment of The Parking Zone. Then, a new campaign seeks to get more girls interested in trucking careers, and Barbie plays a central role. Plus, December is shaping up to be a slow month on the spot market. We have tips for improving profitability while freight rates are low. 0:00 – Newscast  10:18 – The Parking Zone 24:49 – Barbie seeks CDL 39:20 – Spot market slowdown

FreightWaves' Mike Baudendistel and Grace Sharkey talk AI, retail sales and inflation data and interview Josh Bouk, Chief Partnership Officer of TriumphPay Follow The Stockout Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Big Picture podcast, we discuss what is driving the recent fall in freight rates and what this could mean for the sector's efforts to decarbonize and the global economy.Guests: Daniel Harlid, VP-Senior Credit Officer within the Corporate Finance Group at Moody's Investors ServiceHost: Colin Ellis, MD-Global Credit Strategist at Moody's Investors Service

Crude crash and FIS Fertilizer team's risk management tools to bring stability to the market? Welcome back to Freight Up! Our weekly podcast from Freight Investor Services - or as we're more affectionately known - FIS is here to bring you another massive update.  I'm your host, Fernanda, and today we're talking Crude Oil and the KRG pipeline. In this episode, we also have a special treat for you as Barney Talbot-Ponsonby makes his debut and gives us an update on the fertilizer market. Crude crash Archie discusses the recent crash in the crude oil market and its potential impact on supply and demand. He also delves into the factors influencing oil prices, including sentiment and the strength of the US dollar. Additionally, Archie sheds light on the high sulphur market and the recent changes in the crack spread.   Risk management tools We're also joined by Barney Talbot-Ponsonby who talks us through developments in the fertilizer market and shares some sneak preview news around risk management tools!   Here's the link to the FIS live app Timestamped summary of this episode: [00:02:34] Crude oil rally crashes, hitting new lows. [00:03:18] High interest rates fuel global fuel demand. [00:07:23] High sulfur content is good for refining. European market short on high sulfur supply. [00:12:07] Indian tender expected; big moves in market. [00:13:34] Brazil physical offers up, China news slow.  

Commodity Supply Chain Challenges with Anton Posner COVID is in the rear-view mirror, yet the commodity supply chains remain volatile and uncertain. In this episode, we catch up on the state of bulk commodities shipping and logistics. 2022 generated unprecedented returns, particularly in the container market. Why and what has happened since? How are traders and logistics providers managing high interest rates, war, enormous scandals involving missing inventory and the uncertainty wrought by the energy transition and decoupling with China.  What are the routes and tools in bulk commodities freight? Where are freight rates now and where are the headed? Our guest is Anton Posner, Founder and CEO of the Mercury Group whhich offers logistical expertise for the shipment of dry goods (both dry bulk and break-bulk) by barge, train, truck or vessel, particularly for the metals sector. 

Ever wondered about the future of the supply chain and its intersection with the fast-paced world of fashion? Join us as we untangle these complex threads in a captivating conversation with our returning guest, Grace Sharkey from FreightWaves. We kick things off with a deep dive into the heart of the trucking market, discussing the potential fallout of current freight volumes, the rates carriers are charging, and how student loans could soon drastically affect spending. We also share insights from the recent Future of Supply Chain conference, exploring how technology is acting as a beacon amidst economic turmoil.The story doesn't end there. We move onto the darker side of fashion, scrutinizing the ethical concerns surrounding fast fashion and its impact on labor practices, as seen in the backlash against SHEIN. We explore the role of influencers and the responsibility resting on consumers' shoulders to understand the supply chain dynamics of major corporations. We also delve into the origins of fast fashion and discuss the concept of greenwashing, underscoring the urgent need for transparency in the industry.We round off the episode by touching on intriguing conspiracy theories, including the legacy of the Titanic. We delve into the supply chain issues affecting Sriracha production, revealing the controversies behind Hoi Fung Foods and Underwood Ranches. In the end, we discuss the launch of Meta's new social media platform, Threads, and the implications it holds for Mark Zuckerberg's rivalry with Elon Musk.YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/45rNY5l9z78 LINKS:Grace Sharkey's workSearch for ethical brandsFaking podcast interviews for kloutFruit Roll-Up SmugglingWhy Meghan Markle's podcast failedThe Sriracha Shortage---------------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!Are you experienced in freight sales or already an independent freight agent? Listen to our Freight Agent Trenches interview series powered by SPI Logistics to hear directly from company's agents on how they took the leap and found a home with SPI. CartonCloud provides easy-to-use Warehouse Management and Transport management software (WMS/ TMS), designed to remove barriers for smaller players in the industry and provide intuitive workflows, data automation, and integrations that allow logistics companies to scale and grow with ease. Maximize your website's performance and security with Digital Dispatch's web hosting and management. ---------------------------------------------ABOUT THE PODCAST: Everything is Logistics is a podcast for the thinkers in freight. Follow the podcast to never miss an episode. Follow EIL host Blythe Brumleve on social: LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube...

Side underride guards were the topic of a recent documentary by PBS's Frontline – and OOIDA's Lewie Pugh was interviewed for the show. We'll sit down with him to discuss the documentary and find out where the Association stands on the issue. Also, we have some positive updates on parking, such as the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act passing out of committee – but also some bad, including another major city banning truck parking. And rain and cold temperatures have led to a late start to produce season. We'll have the latest on what that means for produce haulers out west, and what rates are looking like as we head into the middle of June. 0:00 – Newscast 09:25 – OOIDA: Stronger rear bumpers yes; side underride guards no 24:19 – Good news and bad news for truck parking 39:03 – A rainy day for produce season

Join Michael for this Freight Broker TV Podcast for all the latest news concerning the transportation industry and more. In this FBTV Podcast • It's the economy stupid…. (Sound familiar?) • Another impossible question • Fuel prices drop again…. Why that isn't a good thing! • Another trucker protest… Protest that won't make rates go up! • You need more customers as a freight broker and as a carrier A new FBTV Podcast is available weekly, hosted by Michael, the lead consultant for TALTOA. If you've been considering a career as a freight broker or freight broker agent, seeking freight broker training or freight broker agent training, looking for a work at home job... a career? Take a few minutes and see what TALTOA has to offer! https://taltoa.com. Looking for more informative information for working as a freight broker, freight broker agent, or even if you are a trucking company considering adding a broker operation as an additional stream of revenue, then you should visit our YouTube Channel “Freight Broker TV. FBTV YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/freightbrokertv Freight Broker TV Website: https://freightbrokertv.com TALTOA Website: https://taltoa.com

#TheFreightCoach Morning Show is The TOP Transportation Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to breakdown THREE transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars! ·         https://www.ttnews.com/articles/atri-top-five-issues-2023 ·         https://www.freightwaves.com/news/report-finds-higher-hours-of-service-violation-rates-since-2020-revisions?fbclid=IwAR1UKZfinROSrlU7-dlKoi1f6-oGOAyIYk9mP-zzkbWS-zyKswa3rO_iHQQ ·         https://www.fleetowner.com/news/article/21264960/when-will-the-2023-freight-recession-end   Check out my YouTube Channel for further industry insights! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw Make sure to subscribe and share! Thank you to my sponsor: https://www.vhubapp.com/ They are the new wave for freight brokers and freight brokerages to separate themselves from the competition! Thank you to my sponsor: https://www.greenscreens.ai/partnership-the-freight-coach Ditch your carrier packet, Drive more carrier sales and get better load coverage with seamless digital onboarding, TMS integration, and smart load coverage, visit: https://brokercarrier.com/

#TheFreightCoach Morning Show is The TOP Transportation Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to breakdown THREE transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars! https://www.freightwaves.com/news/cta-ooida-target-gonzalez-statements-in-latest-filings-in-ab5-case?fbclid=IwAR125-xTAOwujwior4Iy66rtvg6PII2z3KYPJBJRnsGNlld_s6LWUO5OuFA&mibextid=5zvaxg https://www.freightwaves.com/news/so-this-is-what-the-bottom-of-the-freight-market-feels-like?fbclid=IwAR1F0NCPwHcUdfN4tDz5GTD6Bu3z-uu_QRbc4sqUwvwH9Ful3izPRwNf-KQ&mibextid=5zvaxg Check out my YouTube Channel for further industry insights! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw Make sure to subscribe and share! Thank you to my sponsor: https://www.vhubapp.com/ They are the new wave for freight brokers and freight brokerages to separate themselves from the competition! Ditch your carrier packet, Drive more carrier sales and get better load coverage with seamless digital onboarding, TMS integration, and smart load coverage, visit: https://brokercarrier.com/

What might spring bring in terms of the export and shipping situations? What about Canadian Pacific Railway's acquisition of Kansas City Southern Railway? What's the latest on the Mississippi River situation? Mike Steenhoek, Executive Director of the Soy Transportation Coalition, joins today us with an update.This episode is sponsored by United Animal Health, a leader in animal health and nutrition. You can learn more about United Animal Health and how they are working to advance animal science worldwide by visiting the website at UnitedANH.comFor more information, on this and other topics, including additional coverage from the AASV meeting, we invite you to visit our websites - www.Feedstuffs.com and www.NationalHogFarmer.com. While you are there be sure to check out our digital editions and our new Feedstuffs 365 platform. 

In this episode, Jared brings on Steve Morgan with Poole Chemical to discuss fertilizer. Steve has been on our show many times before, we wanted to have him back on to discuss current market conditions and what to expect within the fertilizer market. He gives his opinion on what's happening now but more importantly, what's right around the corner.   Get your tickets to the Mid-America Truck Show here: https://rb.gy/b2rfgb  

Jared brings on St John (pronounced "Sinjin") Craner to talk about sales in the agriculture industry. St John is the founder of Agrarian, a company specializing in training and teaching sales teams how to perform at a higher level using human-centered psychology. In this episode, he shares what you should do when freight rates are low.   Learn more here: https://www.ruralsalessuccess.com/   Check out his podcast 'The Rural Sales Show'

AP correspondent Charles de Ledesma reports on South Korea Truckers' Strike.

Bad Freight toe.Rates Explained. Why are rates getting worse and worse in the trucking industry? Tune into TalkCDL Trucking Podcast and hear Troy's take on it, you will be surprised. Rates were exceedingly high the last 3 years and then suddenly they dropped like a hot potato. For the longest time, it seemed like truckers were going to get their fair share of the pie. But there was something sinister brewing. Many truckers were fooled by a false market and are still paying the price today. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who is making all the money in current times. He who controls the freight makes the rules and sets the price. Brokers are swimming in money and its no big secret. But how did it come to this after 3 good years of profit for the drivers and not to mention small trucking companies? Tune in to this weeks episode of "Bad Freight Rates Explained" and get the skinny on it. Drivewyze allows you to bypass weigh stations using only an ap on your phone National Carriers is hiring students, solos, teams and lease purchase driver Driving tests.org for solos and Driving tests.org for corporate guarantees you will pass your Class A  Kamions FREE Break Even Calculator Click Here Carriers Not To Work For don' t do it What to do if your rig is near downed power lines Have you ever thought about it? Have you ever taken in consideration that you could be stuck near live wires while on the road?

One of the best indicators of the health of the economy is shipping demand and prices. The shift down in rates in the shift up in capacity doesn't signal a healthy economy. https://www.freightwaves.com/news/con... https://www.freightwaves.com/news/mas... uneducatedeconomist.com uneducatedeconomist@gmail.com real mail P.O. 731 Astoria, OR 97103 Instagram uneducated.economist Patreon https://www.patreon.com/UneducatedEco... Want to buy me a coffee? https://www.paypal.me/meatbingo https://cash.app/$bingo503 https://venmo.com/code?user_id=211351... --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/youguysletmeknow/support