FX.co ★ Baltic Dry Index Falls to Over 1-Week Low

The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk index, which tracks freight rates for vessels transporting dry commodities, declined for a second consecutive session on Wednesday, slipping about 1.5% to 2,063 points — its lowest level since February 12 — amid seasonally weaker demand during China’s Lunar New Year holiday. The capesize index, reflecting rates for 150,000-ton cargoes such as iron ore and coal, extended its slide, falling 2.5% to 3,115 points, while the supramax index dropped a further 1.2% to 1,180 points. In contrast, the panamax index, which typically covers 60,000–70,000-ton shipments of coal or grain, inched up 0.2% to 1,796 points.