The word from the Panjiva research team: trade activity experienced a healthy bump in July. Specifically, the number of waterborne shipments coming into the U.S. experienced a 9% month-over-month increase from June to July. Previous year’s June to July changes: +5% in 2011, +2% in 2010, +12% in 2009, +8% in 2008.

The number of global manufacturers shipping to the U.S. went up — +5% — from June to July. June-to-July changes in previous years: +2% in 2011, +0.2% in 2010, +7% in 2009, and +6% in 2008.

Additional notes:

• The percentage of significant manufacturers on the Panjiva Watch List remained steady at 19%.
• The percentage of significant buyers having done business with a Panjiva Watch List supplier in the preceding three months also remained at 26%.

Methodological notes:

• 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 July, there were 96,644 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 July, there were 82,767 significant buyers.

The word from the Panjiva research team: we experienced a significant seasonal drop in global trade activity in September.  Specifically, the number of waterborne shipments coming into the U.S. experienced a 8% month-over-month decrease from August to September.  This is sharper than August-to-September declines of years past (-7% in 2010, -5% in 2009, -5% in 2008, and flat in 2007).

The number of global manufacturers shipping to the U.S. also fell 8% from August to September.  This too is sharper than previous years’ August-to-September declines: -6% in 2010,  -5% in 2009, -7% in 2008, and -4% in 2007.

Additional notes:

• The percentage of significant manufacturers on the Panjiva Watch List retreated slightly from 21% to 20%.
• The percentage of significant buyers having done business with a Panjiva Watch List supplier in the preceding three months also retreated from 29% to 28%.

Methodological notes:

• 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 September, there were 95,191 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 September, there were 81,670 significant buyers.