The Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) is a monthly survey of North American fastener distributors conducted by the FCH Sourcing Network and Baird, with support from the National Fastener Distributors Association. It offers insights into current fastener industry trends/outlooks.
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 8/8/24 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) dipped to 47.5, below 50 for the first time since January. While normal summer sluggishness likely played a role, several participants said they saw signs of a broader slowdown beyond just seasonal […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 7/8/24 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) saw a slight m/m decline, 52.1 vs. 52.9 in May, but remained in expansionary territory (>50). Commentary was mixed as some saw good order trends, while others characterized June as fairly weak. […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 6/6/24 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) saw modest m/m improvement, reading 52.9 in May vs. 51.6 in April, and continued to expand (above neutral reading of 50), albeit driven by just one component, supplier deliveries. Commentary was again […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 5/8/24 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) slightly decelerated m/m but remained in growth territory reading 51.6. Commentary was more mixed this month as some see pockets of significant weakness (construction, OEM, Western US markets), while others see strength […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 4/3/24 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) expanded further in March, increasing to 53.0, up from 50.5 in February. Demand commentary leaned overall fairly positive but balanced out by a noticeable uptick in comments regarding continued rises in freight/container […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 3/5/24 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) bounced back to growth (>50) in February with a reading of 50.5. A key theme present among respondent commentary was stabilization/consistency in demand. After accurately forecasting the rebound in this month’s FDI, […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 2/7/24 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) saw solid m/m improvement in February with a 49.7 reading, as most underlying components of the index rose back into expansionary territory. Comments were again somewhat mixed but overall tone leaned net […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 1/8/24 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) softened m/m with a reading of 47.5 but participants largely attributed this to seasonal softness around the holidays. Comments were varied as some participants see significant uncertainty (economy, election) heading into 2024, […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 12/7/23 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) improved m/m and remained above a neutral 50 reading for the second consecutive month, reading 53.4. Comments skewed noticeably more positive this month with many expressing that they are seeing good bookings […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 10/5/23 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) modestly retreated in September to a sub-50 reading at 48.5 after briefly reaching a neutral 50.0 in August. While August may have temporarily benefited from some pent-up demand following summer vacations, September […]