China PMI Export Order in June slipped to 46.4, denting hopes of a restocking led rebound in export cargo volumes with deeper declines expected. US retail data remains weak especially for home improvement retailers with inventory levels remaining elevated (Home Depot and Lowe’s). The main US grocery/department stores still struggle with high inventory levels, especially for Walmart whose inventory to sales ratio remain above its historical levels. Nike’s sales grew 5% YoY for the 3-month ended
Customs of PRC reported foreign trade figures on 7 Jun, for which the market was negatively surprised by the 7.5% YoY drop in May whereas analysts were expecting just 0.4% decline. But what the market have missed may be more concerning for container shipping, in our view, which is the sequential drop in export since March. Since 2014, Chinese export has always grown sequentially and on average 14% from March through May, an usual seasonal pattern. This year, the Chinese exports fell 10% in t
China's April PMI New Export Order came out as 47.6 on 30 April, suggesting Chinese export order experienced sequential contraction in April comparing to that of March. Reading through to the volume, the China PMI export orders suggests container volume may experience sequential softening in May or even June relative to the previous months. Though, it is important to read this data bearing in mind that China could be losing export market share to the ASEAN exporters (read here [https://www.liner
China's March PMI New Export Order came out as 50.4 in the morning session of 31 March, suggesting Chinese export order may have seen marginal sequential growth in March comparing to February. But March's 50.4 comparing to February's 52.4 means growth decelerated over the past month. Softness of exports from China could be a combination of the market share losses and overall soft demand in the western hemisphere. In terms of container shipment volume, China has been losing market share to the
The latest China manufacturing PMI new export order index reported as 52.4 before market open on 1 March, suggesting the strongest expansion since March 2011. (source: National Bureau of Statistics). The PMI indices measure sequential changes and value above 50 for this index suggests expansion. Since January 2011 this index has produced only 51 expansionary values against 95 contractionary values. This latest print of 52.4 however contrasts with the anecdotal stories we heard about the current