Baltic index hits near 2-month high on capesize gains

Sept 16 (Reuters) - The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk sea freight index, which monitors rates for vessels moving dry bulk commodities, held steady near a two-month high, as gains in capesize vessel rates countered declines in smaller vessel segments.

* The main index .BADI, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, gained 1 point to 2,154 points, marking its highest level since July 28.

* The capesize index .BACI climbed 35 points, or 1.1%, to 3,189, its highest since August 18.

* Average daily earnings for capesize vessels .BATCA, which typically transport 150,000-ton cargoes such as iron ore and coal, increased $287 to $26,443.

* Iron ore futures prices rebounded on Tuesday, supported by improving steel output in China, while gains in steel benchmarks reflected improving sentiment despite weak housing data.IRONORE/

* Meanwhile, the panamax index .BPNI extended losses, dropping 35 points, or 1.8%, to 1,968, its lowest in a week.

* Average daily earnings for panamax vessels .BPWT, which usually carry 60,000-70,000 tons of coal or grain, lost $315 to $17,712.

* Among smaller vessels, the supramax index .BSIS lost 2 points, to 1,491 points.