After declining 0.1 index points in April, the Stifel Logistics Confidence Index for May increased 1.0 points. Overall conditions appear to be picking up as the present situation increased 1.0 points and the 6-month expected situation grew 0.9 points for the month.
Stifel Confidence Index: Total
Air Freight
Improving signs for the overall air freight market are growing as the combined air freight logistics confidence index increased for the first time in four months. In terms of the present situation, the index is just shy of the all-important 50-level. While all lanes noted increases, the US to Europe lane was the only one to decline. Meanwhile, the 6-month expected situation barely increased as trade lanes recorded mixed signals. The air freight market remains fragile. Even though IATA reported a 5.9% increase for March, it noted that “While air freight volumes rebounded to near three-year highs in March, levels are still slightly below January. Levels are up on a year ago due to growth which took place at the end of 2013; that growth trend has paused over recent months.”
Stifel Confidence Index: Air Freight
Sea Freight
Meanwhile, the sea freight logistics confidence index increased 1.5 points to 60.1. For the present situation, all lanes increased except Asia to Europe. The Asia to Europe lane has experienced erratic rates actually slipping below $1000/TEU for a few weeks during first quarter. Since then, the rates have climbed above $1,000/TEU and have noted an increase for the last two weeks in April.
However, for the 6-month expected situation, the index grew 1.8 points with all lanes gaining. Perhaps expectations are running high for the P3 alliance? The alliance could likely help stabilized rates and capacity.
Stifel Confidence Index: Sea Freight
Monthly Question
For this month’s question, we asked if the average size of airfreight shipments had changed. 38% of the respondents noted their average size of airfreight shipments were declining while 53% responded no declines and 9% indicated no change in the average size of airfreight shipments. Comments were mixed indicating no clear industry trend. One response, “We airfreight goods only when strictly necessary” appears to go along with IATA’s call to improve its value proposition if it is to attract growth when markets improve.
To take part in the latest Stifel Logistics Confidence Index Survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/G3JD68F
To download the full ‘Stifel Logistics Confidence Index – May 2014’ document please use the following link:
