FX.co ★ Baltic Dry Index at Near 1-Month High

The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk freight index, which tracks shipping rates for vessels transporting dry bulk commodities, rose for a second consecutive session on Thursday, gaining 1.8% to 2,066 points—its highest level since March 5.

The capesize index, covering vessels that typically carry about 150,000 tons of cargo such as iron ore and coal, also advanced for a second day, climbing 2.1% to 3,086 points, the highest in more than four weeks. The panamax index, reflecting rates for ships that usually transport 60,000 to 70,000 tons of coal or grain, increased 1.5% to 1,784 points.

Among smaller vessel categories, the supramax index added 1.2% to reach 1,224 points. Over the week, the benchmark Baltic dry index was up 1.7%.