The BDI is a shipping and trade index created by the London-based Baltic Exchange that measures changes in the cost to transport raw materials.

Total light vehicle, (LV) sales in February were at an annual rate, of 17.861 M units, up 0.512 million (M) from January, but down 0.185 M year on year (y/y). Light truck sales continue see solid growth, selling at an annualized rate of 11.589 M in February, up 0.561 M units m/m and up 0.705 M un

The government records several measures of unemployment levels. The headline news value touts the unemployment rate at “X%”.  The government refers to this as the Official unemployment rate or U3.

The total number of seasonally adjusted non-farm people employed in the US in February 2017 was 145.80 million. This figure was up 2.24 million (+1.56%) year on year and increased by of 235,000 month on month, (0.16%).

Corporate profits (CP) increased by 0.5% quarter on quarter (q/q), in the fourth quarter of 2016. This after rising 5.8% over the previous three months. On year on year basis, CP advanced by a solid 9.3%. In dollar terms CP were 2,150 billion on a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR).

The annualized GDP growth rate (3rd estimate), of the 4th quarter of 2016 was 2.1%. This was down from the 3^rd quarters 3.5% growth rate but stronger than the average 1.7% value over the prior four quarters.