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- […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 7/7/22 Key Takeaway: The June seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) reading is 53.8, improved vs. last month, indicating slightly faster growth than May. The pricing indices moderated some (albeit remaining at elevated levels) as respondents noted softening commodity prices and some […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 6/7/22 Key Takeaway: The May seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) was essentially unchanged vs. last month, remaining in modest growth territory at 52.7. Container/import logistics constraints and slowing growth were consistent themes among respondents. The pricing indices were also stable but […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 5/6/22 Key Takeaway: The April seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) dipped to 52.6, lower m/m, primarily on softer selling conditions. The overwhelming theme among participants commentary and across the various components of the FDI was growth but slowing growth amid material […]
Written by R.W.Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 4/6/22 Key Takeaway: The March seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) saw a modest m/m improvement at 57.2 on better sales and employment levels. Despite a slightly weaker reading in the supplier deliveries index amid some manufacturing plant shutdowns in Asia and continued […]
Brian Musker