Are Bulk/Container Shipping Companies Improving Compared to the Baltic Dry Index?

This study evaluates the 2000-2017 time frame and assesses the performance of the bulk/container shipping industry before and after the Great Financial Crisis (GFC) in relation to the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) and two other benchmarks in a variety of combinations. This study evaluates two different period portfolios of shipping companies based on their stock price total return performance. Five cases are presented that demonstrate portfolio improvement when comparing performance after the GFC with performance before the GFC in relation to the BDI and the other benchmarks. Included are discussions on shipping industry competition, vessel utilization and freight rates plus the BDI as an economic activity predictor.