What a month (see last month’s latest recap) that was confirming the old saying; the Ides of March!
The BDI remained slightly buoyant – gained but also lost considerably. The Wets likewise, particularly the Dirties… On the geopolitical front, given what takes place NOW expect asymmetrical mess in all fronts. We are living in the worse possibly momentum and what will enfold will definitely stigmatize our society for many decades… War and more wars to come amid an Armageddon of financial crisis and energy mess… John Faraclas’ daily, weekly and monthly recap:
The BDI (Baltic Dry Index) ended down 14 points since yesterday at 1,389 losing the 1,400 points threshold. Same was down 100 points since last week’s (24/3) 1,489 points and 178 plus since a month ago (3/3)… We need to see the 2,000 point mark so that the Dry market makes sense and investors are happy.
The Capes’ BCI which until now causes too many ups and downs ended down at 1,665 – minus 11 points since yesterday losing the the 1,700-1,800 points threshold. On 24/3 same stood at 1,882 – down 217; on the 3rd of March same stood at 1,195 which means a plus 470 points… slightly encouraging…
The Panamaxes’ BPI gained 10 points since yesterday and now reads 1,635. On a weekly basis same was up 63 points surpassing the 1,600 points – from 1,572 on 24/3. On a monthly basis the BPI was up 70 points – from 1,565 on 3/3.-
Ups and downs for the Supras’ BSI; the closing today was downwards – minus 39 points since yesterday at 1,198 points which is 134 points below last week’s closing of 1,332 losing the 1,200-1,300 points threshold. On a monthly basis the BSI was up nine points – from 1,189 on 3/3…
Still a three digit figure for the Handies BHSI which lost four points since yesterday and now stands at 687 points. On a weekly basis same was down 16 points – from 703 on 24/3 losing the 700 points threshold. On a monthly basis same was up 103 points – from 584 on 3/3/2013. a bit of a strong beam of light…
The Wets remain still an enigma; the last published BDTI (Dirties) and BCTI (Cleans) stood at 1,428 – down 53 and 1,248 – down two respectively. On a weekly basis the Dirties were down 194 points – from 1,622 and the Cleans up 48 – from 1,200 respectively. On a monthly basis the Dirties were down 55 points – from 1,483 and the Cleans a hefty 468 points – up from 780 respectively on 3/3/2023!
On the Ship Sales and Purchase front: very simply, GO FOR NEWBUILDINGS with eco-friendly alternative sources of energy / propulsion!!!
The WTI stood at US$ 75.67 up US$ 1.30 since yesterday; the weekly state was expressed with US$ 6.41 plus – up from US$ 69.26 on 24/3. The Monthly though situation was down US$ 4.01 from US$ 79.68 on 3/3/2023… Still CAUTION as we need to see the WTI below the US$ 50.- The highest during this month was on the 6th of March when the WTI flew over the US$ 80 reaching US$ 80.46, AND the lowest was on the 17th of March when same stood at US$ 66.74… Geopolitics AND the War clearly determines these prices, but be on guard for unexpected surprises… Some dirty dealings take place… Watch this space!!!!!!!!!
The FTSE100 ended at 7,631.74 up 11.31 since yesterday. On a weekly basis the FTSE was up 226.29 – from 7,405.45 on 24/3. On a monthly basis the FTSE was up 315.37 – up from 7,947.11 on 3/3/2023…
The Dow Jones closed at 33,274.15; on the 24/3 same stood at 32,237.53 and on the 3/3/2023 it recorded 33.390.97 – a relatively steady situation…
The NIKKEI now at 28,041.48 vs 27,387.25 on 24/3 and a month ago on 3/3/2023 the NIKKEI stood at 27,927.47 creating smiling faces in Japan and the wider Far East region…
The Euro – USDollar parity stood at 1,0869 from 1,0904 since yesterday, 1,0779 on 24/3 and 1,0648 on 3/3/2023… CAUTION!
Given the above on the Stock Markets, Oil (WTI) and Euro / USDollar, wonder what’s next on both Dry and Wet Markets given the unprecedented geopolitical turmoil where everything is possible and confidence will be the name of the game on many issues… Add the exceptional inflation all over, World debt now at US$ 405 trillion (fourhundred and five)… uncertainty due to the war in Ukraine and the possibly spill over – high stakes here… did I hear you say Recession…?
The Geopolitics will contribute to more mess …as:
- Ukraine. As we have written and declared openly on TV: you haven’t seen anything yet… Russia’s war of destruction will completely flatten Ukraine and wonder the Ukrainian counter with West’s support… Can a controlled nuclear incident be avoided… Mind Belorussia…
- Parliamentary elections in Finland; will Sanna Marin win this coming Sunday…
- …as well as Parliamentary Elections in Bulgaria also this coming Sunday…
- Presidential Elections in Turkey on 14th of May; will president Erdogan make the surprise? The devastating earthquake a major issue for reconstruction of the entire country…
- Parliamentary Elections in Greece on 21st of May… in the shadow of the train disaster… Impossible for an overall win of ND’s Kyriakos Mitsotakis – Greece’s current PM, although he is the best from all other party leaders… unless he has three aces in his sleeve…
- Messy Middle East… Israel will retaliate in any case if provoked…
- Iran should reason or else… add the despicable situation against Iranian women. Enough!
- Still uncertainty in Libya…
- Turmoil in France with president Macron’s pension age rise… causing more than mess
- Italy needs US$ 200 (twohundred) billion to breath…
As we travelled from London Athens via France and Italy we have seen/ witnessed a lot of things in need for correction in both countries…
- Western Balkans still an issue for all…
- Serbia and Hungary: thorny issues for the West given a pro-Russian staunch…
- The UK gets slowly slowly its act together…
- China tries favourite ways to “climb” higher, but Russia’s War in Ukraine, Taiwan and South China Sea are difficult issues for Beijing… A clash with the USA is on the cards as the Chinese believe the time has come – unless Xi changes his mid… He better does…
- North Korea plays with fire and the USA will defend at all costs South Korea as well the entire region…
- Japan is ready for everything…
- The entire Africa in turmoil…
- Latin America – Central and South; too many issues… A complete U turn is needed. Brazilian president Lula has a lot to do, and he better does it right this time!
- Too many odd things happening in Australia…
- STOP THE BOATS: the Australian slogan is now the one adopted by UK and PM Sunak to stop the MIGRANTS coming over mainly from France….
- We counter to all this MIGRANTS mess by insisting: A Naval Blockade, with a Mandate and Rules of Engagement in all areas from where MIGRANTS depart. Get down all Human Traffickers and, if needed ,use Capital Punishment – bring it back. We had enough all over Planet Ocean; the social cohesion in many countries is about to break…
- European Union: whatever happened to MEP and vice president of the European Parliament Eva Kaili; time to short-out this scandal, Qatargate and have a mother back with her daughter…
- Lastly, we all await to see also what really happened with eavesdropping in the European Parliament and in Greece… Time please!
We are living in interesting times; expect the unexpected…
The bright and promising sign of this messy Planet Ocean remains WISTAs; Well done sea-maidens of the seven seas!
Have a nice evening and weekend but continue to remain on guard from actions emanating from Pirates – still around, Terrorists – again still around, Criminals and any Business Hooligans whatsoever wherever you are on Planet Ocean. A big THANKS to all still fighting the Coronavirus anathema – still with us, despite what politicians and their cronies say. Let us work collectively and restart Planet Ocean, now in debt over US$ 405 (four-hundredandfive) trillion!!! We are in Recession and together with Inflation the situation will hurt all of us!!! Easter is ante portas, let’s capitulate and change for the better…
