Apparently last month US companies let the smallest number of employees go in almost a year, this data does not make a trend, but is certainly welcome news… is this a green shoot?
We all know of course that we are not seeing the data go the other way, but this may be a small indication that the trend is slowing.
There is other data coming out of the US Commerce Department that US factory orders have recently been increasing again… is this a green shoot?
Although the media have been getting excited about this, personally I remain cynical. Many businesses have simply been burning off excessive stock inventory piles and one can only do this for so long. In many cases these businesses were simply not operating best lean manufacturing processes and have paid the price with stock which has deteriorated in value quicker than rotting bananas. I may of course be wrong and the trend may be on the increase.
Adhoc indications of shipping price increases such as the Baltic Index… is this a green shoot?
Prices have certainly increased, but from a massively reduced price from the highs of a couple of years ago. For now many ships remain dormant and port operators remain concerned over the decreased imports and exports.
Related posts:
Have you noticed that the Baltic Index has started quietly deflating again?
Yes, this is certainly putting weed killer on some of the apparent green shoots!
Yes, the green shoots are going yellow!