The Baltic Dry Index, the benchmark for freight costs for iron ore, coal and grains, fell for a ninth consecutive session on Wednesday, reflecting concern that demand for commodities from China was starting to weaken. … “The recent decline in the Baltic Dry Index may be an early warning sign,” said James Lord of Capital Economics. “Commodity markets have priced in a strong recovery [in the global economy], which should cap any further near-term gains. As the recovery slows in 2010, we expect commodity prices to come under renewed pressure.”
