[swiecki]

I just wanted to point out the obvious to any potential readers: this is just one indicator and does not reflect what is happening in all sectors of the economy. Rather, it a price chart of commercial shipping services. Useful, but definitely not the end-all be-all economic recession indicator that the author makes it out to be.

[DenisM]

Not just me:

Because dry bulk primarily consists of materials that function as raw material inputs to the production of intermediate or finished goods, such as concrete, electricity, steel, and food, the index is also seen as an efficient economic indicator of future economic growth and production. The BDI is termed a leading economic indicator because it predicts future economic activity.[7]

And:

"People don't book freighters unless they have cargo to move."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltic_Dry_Index#Why_economists...