At first glance, all of this kind of makes sense. After all, ever since Donald Trump became president-elect, the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) -- which reflects relative pricing strength that dry bulk shippers are able to charge for shipping goods across the ocean -- has been climbing. At today's new high of 1,084, it's up 19% from pre-election levels.
Indeed, the BDI was climbing even before Trump won the election, and has gained 30% over the past two weeks. So even if you count yourself among the Trump skeptics and entertain doubts about the man's ability to grow the economy, shipping rates were rising even when we were all expecting another Clinton administration -- and that's great news for shippers like DryShips, Seanergy, Eagle Bulk, and Globus Maritime.