The word from Panjiva’s research team: there was a slight uptick in global trade activity during October. Specifically, from September to October, there was a 3% increase in the number of global manufacturers shipping to the U.S. market. Similarly, there was a 2% increase in the number of U.S. companies receiving waterborne shipments from global manufacturers.
Those hoping for a major holiday bounce are likely to be disappointed by this new data; on the other hand, it’s good to see that last month’s slide did not continue. A few notes:
- Last year, we also saw a slight uptick from September to October.
- The percentage of significant manufacturers on the Panjiva Watch List declined slightly from 27% to 26%.
- Similarly, the percentage of significant buyers having done business with a Panjiva Watch List supplier in the preceding three months declined slightly from 37% to 36%.
Methodological notes for the data junkies:
- Manufacturers that have suffered a 50% or greater decline in volume shipped to American customers in the most recent three month period, versus the same period a year ago, are on the Panjiva Watch List.
- “Significant manufacturers” are companies that have sent 10 or more shipments to American customers within the last year. As of the end of October, there were 86,254 significant manufacturers.
- “Significant buyers” are U.S. companies that have received 10 or more shipments from overseas manufacturers within the last year. As of the end of August, there were 73,987 significant buyers.
