Econintersect: The American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) trucking index increased 1.6% in September after falling a revised 0.5% in August 2011. Compared with September 2010, SA tonnage was up a solid 5.9%. In August, the tonnage index was a revised 4.9% above a year earlier.
“I continue to believe the economy will skirt another recession because truck tonnage isn’t showing signs that we are in a recession,” ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said. “Tonnage is suggesting that we are in a weak growth period for the economy, but not a recession.”
Costello also noted that the third quarter average exhibited signs of small gains for the broader economy, not contraction.
“In the third quarter, tonnage was up 0.4% from the second quarter. Prior to the two previous recessions truck tonnage was plummeting, but not this time.”
Econintersect’s analysis shows trucking has been in a tight range all of 2011 – and now has returned to the top of the range.
source: ATA