Jobless Rates Decrease in 37 U.S. States

[ProSense]

7. Another sign

Truck Tonnage Soars at Strongest Rate Since 1998

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor

December surge sends ATA truck tonnage index up 5.9 percent in 2011

For-hire truck tonnage rose 5.9 percent in 2011, the biggest year-over-year freight gain for trucking since 1998, the American Trucking Associations said Tuesday.

The year ended with a surge in freight, with truck tonnage rising 6.8 percent from November and 10.5 percent from December 2010, according to the ATA. The increase in the seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index underscores the growing strength of U.S. manufacturing and domestic freight in late 2011.

“While I’m not surprised that tonnage increased in December, I am surprised at the magnitude of the gain,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello.

<...>

“Not only did truck tonnage increase due to solid manufacturing output in December, but also from some likely inventory restocking,” Costello said.

- more -

http://www.joc.com/truckload/trucking-scores-best-tonnage-gain-%E2%80%98-1998%E2%80%99