The word from the Panjiva research team: we saw a modest decline in global trade activity in October.  Specifically, there was a 2% decrease in the number of global manufacturers shipping to the U.S. market, as well as a 2% decrease in the number of U.S. companies receiving waterborne shipments from global manufacturers.

• The number of waterborne shipments coming into the U.S. experienced a 2% month-over-month decrease from September to October.  In contrast, there was a 3% September-to-October increase in 2009, and a 1% increase in 2008.
• The percentage of significant manufacturers on the Panjiva Watch List ticked up from 16% to 17%.
• The percentage of significant buyers having done business with a Panjiva Watch List supplier in the preceding three months held steady at 24%.

Methodological notes:

• Manufacturers that have suffered a 50% or greater decline in volume shipped to American customers in the most recent three month period, versus the same period a year ago, are on the Panjiva Watch List.
• “Significant manufacturers” are companies that have sent 10 or more shipments to American customers within the last year. As of the end of October, there were 94,805 significant manufacturers.
• “Significant buyers” are U.S. companies that have received 10 or more shipments from overseas manufacturers within the last year. As of the end of October, there were 81,380 significant buyers.