Energy shock easing, according to RWI / ISL
The RWI / ISL Container Throughput Index, a measure of global trade activity, decreased slightly in October to a seasonally-adjusted 125 points. This slight decline follows a period of recovery from the impacts of energy price shocks.
Chinese ports experienced minor increases in container throughput, raising their index from 139.2 to 140.2 points. However, the overall trend suggests that the recovery phase may be concluding. The North Range Index, indicating economic trends in the northern Eurozone and Germany, also fell from 103.8 to 103.3 points.
According to RWI's Torsten Schmidt, the index has now returned to the levels seen last summer, indicating a stabilisation after the energy-price shock, but no further significant recovery is currently anticipated. The next RWI / ISL Index is scheduled for 21 December. (pb)