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 9/8/23 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) surged to a neutral reading of 50.0 compared to 40.7 in July. Respondents pointed to a rebound in demand as customers returned from summer vacations (which had pressured the July FDI). The […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 8/9/23 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) retreated to 40.7 compared to 45.6 in June. Respondents pointed to potential vacation/holiday noise and soft new orders (despite healthy quoting). The Forward-Looking Indicator (FLI) also regressed but very modestly off an […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 7/12/23 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) rebounded slightly to 45.6 compared to 44.7 in May. Respondents pointed to increased quoting activity as the primary driver of the m/m improvement. The Forward-Looking Indicator (FLI) regressed slightly, moving further below […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 6/7/23 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) weakened further to 44.7 compared to 46.3 in April. Respondents pointed to declining new business opportunities and general softening in the economy as the driver of the m/m decline. The Forward-Looking Indicator […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 5/7/23 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) weakened further to 46.3 compared to 48.6 in March. Respondents indicated raw material shortages and declining prices/margins were the primary drags in April. The Forward-Looking Indicator (FLI) also softened to just 37.8 […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 4/6/23 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) retreated slightly, coming in at 48.6 vs. 51.6 last month. Participant commentary suggested slowing demand and recession concerns weighed on sentiment. The Forward-Looking Indicator (FLI) improved very modestly, albeit remaining in contractionary […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 3/7/23 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) registered its first expansionary (>50) reading since November, improving to 51.6 from 47.7 last month. Consistent with this, commentary from participants was also a bit more positive this month, with some respondents […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 2/7/23 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) began 2023 with another sub-50 reading, albeit modestly improved over the previous month with a reading of 47.7. Commentary was mixed as some respondents pointed to still-strong customer backlogs and solid demand, […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 1/9/23 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) capped off the year with a startling sub-50 reading, coming in at 43.8 in December. This was a significant deceleration from last month’s 54.9 reading and indicates market conditions worsened vs. November. […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 11/5/22 Key Takeaway: The October seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) improved m/m, rising to 56.1, despite continued supply chain disruption, reflecting slightly better selling momentum and employment levels. Commentary remains focused on very elevated freight costs, shipping congestion, and raw material/semi- […]