Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 12/3/20 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) for November was 54.5, moderating slightly from last month but remaining in growth range. The sales index, however, showed some modest improvement m/m as sales were slightly above normal expectations for the […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 11/6/20 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) for October was 56.5, improving for the second consecutive month. Nearly all components of the FDI showed m/m improvement. Looking forward, the Forward-Looking Indicator (FLI) also showed nice improvement, reaching the highest […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 10/4/20 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) for September was 52.0, returning to growth after last month’s slight contractionary reading (49.2). An improvement in the sales and employment indexes drove the m/m improvement. Looking forward, the Forward-Looking Indicator (FLI) […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 9/4/20 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) for August was 49.2, implying relatively stable momentum with July (near a neutral 50 reading). Looking at the drivers of the overall m/m moderation in the FDI, a decrease in the sales […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA 8/5/20 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) for July was 54.6, consistent with improving momentum (above 50 reading) but at a slower rate vs. the improvement seen in June (FDI decreased m/ m). As a diffusion index, the 54.6 reading indicates the trajectory […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA 7/6/20 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) for June was 56.9, surging m/m as the economic re-opening continued. Sales trends were better than seasonally expected for a majority of respondents, the first time that has occurred since January. The six-month outlook further improved […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA 6/4/20 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) for May was 45.0, showing signs of recovery as states began reopening and some manufacturing/construction customers resumed operations. Sales trends on a seasonally adjusted basis improved m/m, albeit off a very low base. The six-month outlook […]
Wednesday, May 13 1:00 p.m. ET. The world is a very different place today. With the constant demands of this ever-changing environment, suppliers and buyers in the fastener and industrial products industry have had to pivot in real time. So, how have businesses in the industry dealt with the challenges brought about by this crisis? […]
Read More… from IFE webinar talks State of the Fastener Industry
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA 5/6/20 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) for April was 40.0, deteriorating further as the full brunt of COVID-19 customer shutdowns was felt. Sales trends on a seasonally adjusted basis were again much weaker. The six-month outlook encouragingly showed some signs of stabilization, […]
As the U.S. continues the battle against COVID-19, much has been made about the country’s over-reliance on personal protective equipment, medicine and other medical products manufactured abroad. During the April 2020 edition of Fully Threaded Radio – the voice of fastenersclearinghouse.com – Harry Moser from the Reshoring Initiative drew a parallel between the lack of […]