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 […]
Written by R.W.Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 3/7/22 Key Takeaway: The February Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) recovered nicely m/m, rebounding to 56.0, following January’s seasonal-adjustment driven down-tick. The recovery was broadly consistent with recovery seen in the ISM PMI and other macroeconomic data points as pandemic-related disruption eased. Respondent commentary […]
Written by R.W.Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 2/7/22 Key Takeaway: The January seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) was slightly softer m/m at 52.7, although modest underlying improvement was seen in most metrics; the seasonal adjustment factor downwardly impacted results as January is normally the strongest month of the year […]
Written by R.W.Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 12/5/21 Key Takeaway: The November seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) of 57.6 saw slight improvement, driven primarily by better seasonally adjusted selling momentum. The Forward-Looking Indicator (FLI) continued down the path of gradual moderation that the index has been on for the […]
Written by R.W.Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 11/5/21 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- conductor […]
Written by R.W.Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 10/7/21 Key Takeaway: The September seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) retreated for a second consecutive month as supply chain constraints continued to wreak havoc, although the index remained in expansionary/growth territory at 54.2. Commentary continues to point to solid demand and results […]
Written by R.W.Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 9/7/21 Key Takeaway: The August seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) cooled m/m as raw material, freight, and labor constraints partially hindered growth, although the index remained firmly in expansionary/growth territory at 55.4. Commentary pointed to a strong supply-demand imbalance, labor shortages, accelerating […]
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. […]