FX.co ★ Baltic Dry Index Extends Slide

The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk freight index, which tracks rates for vessels transporting dry bulk commodities, fell about 4.6% on Thursday to 2,545 points, its lowest level since June 30 and the ninth consecutive session of declines. The downward pressure continued to stem from the larger vessel segments. The capesize index, which typically carries 150,000-ton cargoes such as iron ore and coal, tumbled 8.5% to 3,322 points, its lowest reading since early April, while the panamax index, which usually transports 60,000 to 70,000 tons of coal or grain, dropped 2.2% to 2,356 points. Among the smaller vessel classes, the supramax index rose 0.6% to 1,856 points.