
Fitch expects dry-bulk freight rates to stay flat on average in 2019, with fleet growth of about 3%. Following the 90-day US-China tariff halt agreed by Trump and Xi, analysts say a settlement could boost tonne-mile demand as US grain and coal replace closer origins for China.
A possible shift of Chinese grain buying to US origins would lengthen voyages and lift tonne-mile demand, supporting freight rates and making US grain more costly to deliver than Brazilian or Black Sea supply. Fitch still sees risk that overall rates stay low.
Not enough comparable past events yet for a historical read.
After 250 past neutral trade events, Soybeans moved a median +0.0% over 5 sessions (50% higher; middle half -1.4% to +1.6%), and -0.2% over 20.
After 480 past neutral trade events, Corn moved a median +0.2% over 5 sessions (54% higher; middle half -1.1% to +1.6%), and +0.7% over 20.
Moves of each commodity's benchmark from the last close before the event. Historical reads pool past events of the same kind; they describe what happened, not what will. Not investment advice.