The word from the Panjiva research team: trade activity experienced a significant increase from December to January.  Specifically, the number of waterborne shipments coming into the U.S. experienced a 12% month-over-month increase from December to January.  In years past, we typically saw declines from December to January (-3% from December ‘07 to January ‘08, -2% from December ‘08 to January ‘09, and -3% from December ‘09 to January ‘10).  However, last year, for the first time, we saw a significant increase (17%) from December to January. 

The number of global manufacturers shipping to the U.S. went up 3% from December to January.  December-to-January changes in previous years: +6% from December 2010 to January 2011, -5% from December 2009 to January 2010, -6% from December 2008 to January 2009, and -4% from December 2007 to January 2008.

Additional notes:

• The percentage of significant manufacturers on the Panjiva Watch List declined slightly from 20% to 19%.
• The percentage of significant buyers having done business with a Panjiva Watch List supplier in the preceding three months also decreased slightly from 27% to 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 January, there were 95,054 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 January, there were 81,409 significant buyers.