Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 3/5/24 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) bounced back to growth (>50) in February with a reading of 50.5. A key theme present among respondent commentary was stabilization/consistency in demand. After accurately forecasting the rebound in this month’s FDI, […]
Tag: Quinn Fredrickson
FDI January 2024
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 2/7/24 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) saw solid m/m improvement in February with a 49.7 reading, as most underlying components of the index rose back into expansionary territory. Comments were again somewhat mixed but overall tone leaned net […]
FDI December 2023
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 1/8/24 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) softened m/m with a reading of 47.5 but participants largely attributed this to seasonal softness around the holidays. Comments were varied as some participants see significant uncertainty (economy, election) heading into 2024, […]
FDI September 2023
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 10/5/23 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) modestly retreated in September to a sub-50 reading at 48.5 after briefly reaching a neutral 50.0 in August. While August may have temporarily benefited from some pent-up demand following summer vacations, September […]
FDI August 2023
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 […]
FDI July 2023
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 […]
FDI June 2023
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 […]
FDI May
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 […]
FDI April
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 […]
FDI March
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 […]