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 8/4/21 Key Takeaway: The July seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) of 59.6 improved vs. June, driven by slightly better selling conditions. Commentary continued to point to a supply-demand imbalance, along with labor shortages, accelerating pricing, and logistics backlogs. The Forward-Looking Indicator (FLI) […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 7/7/21 Key Takeaway: The June seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) moderated slightly at 55.8, but remains solidly in expansionary territory. Driving the slight m/m contraction was a decline in both the sales and employment indexes. Respondent commentary focused on broad-based inflationary […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 6/4/21 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) showed market conditions improved at an accelerating rate in May with a reading of 61.8, remaining above 50 and with strong m/m improvement. Respondent commentary focused on continued robust sales/order activity, however, […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 5/5/21 Key Takeaway: The April seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) 58.7 showed market conditions cooled off from the frenetic pace seen in February and March as supply chain constraints inhibited growth. Respondent commentary indicates underlying demand remains strong but servicing all […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 4/7/21 Key Takeaway: The March seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) was essentially stable m/m at 66.0, implying conditions remained at the strong pace seen in February. The sales index remained at very high levels as respondents continue to report more demand […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 3/4/21 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) for February saw strong m/m improvement with a reading of 66.1. The sales index surged as two-thirds of respondents saw sales that were above seasonal expectations in a normally seasonally softer month. […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 2/4/21 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) for January came in at 57.7, moderating slightly from last month’s very strong December reading but still showing nice growth (well above a neutral 50 reading). The sales index saw sustained strength […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 1/8/21 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) for December came in at 62.6, showing nice m/m improvement and signaling a strong end to the year. The sales index saw similar strength with about two thirds of respondents seeing better-than-seasonally […]
The huge congestion in overseas freight is primarily attributed to peak season congestion and a container shortage and isresulting in rate hikes along with surcharges, as well as delays and all the accompanying cascading issues. The surcharges vary per carrier, but are generally anywhere from $200 to $500 per container charge. It is recommended that […]
It’s no surprise that the Emerald Exposition’s IFE Annual Expo and Hall of Fame for the Fastener Industry, typically held in Las Vegas, was held virtually this year. Using an AI-powered platform, Meet & Match, the organizers offered several live, digital conference sessions, more than 50 exhibitors with virtual booths, and a host of product displays. […]