Global Economic News and Analysis
Written by Steven Hansen Econintersect publishes Association of American Railroads (AAR) weekly traffic reports on Thursdays, and this post provides a monthly overview showing rail movements for March 2012 compared to March 2011. carloads down 5.8% year-over-year intermodal (containers or trailers on railcars) up 3.5% year-over-year total carloads plus intermodal down 1.8% year-over-year Econintersect uses …
Continue reading “March 2012 Rail Movements Contracts, All Due to Coal”
Written by Steven Hansen Rail movements contracted in February 2012 compared to February 2011. carloads down 1.9% year-over-year intermodal (containers or trailers on railcars) up 2.4% year-over-year total carloads plus intermodal down 0.1% year-over-year Econintersect uses rail movements to add to understanding of economic dynamics in coming months. As long as growth remains positive, it …
Continue reading “Rail Movements Contract in February 2012: Yet No Economic Implications”
Although the January 2012 rate of growth of rail movements is the worst in five months, it still shows a 0.8% growth over January 2011. Econintersect uses rail movements to complement its understanding of economic dynamics in coming months. As long as growth remains positive, it bodes well for a positive economic outlook. As coal …
Continue reading “January 2012 Rail Traffic Growth Less Good”
Continuing the trend established in last month, the rail traffic upward trend continues in December 2011 with rail traffic growing 9.4% for intermodal and 7.3% for commodity carloads year-over-year. This is a positive economic indicator for the coming months. Overall in 2011, total rail traffic (commodities plus intermodal) was up 3.6%. In our analysis of …
Continue reading “Rail Traffic Ends 2011 Indicating Economic Expansion”
Continuing the trend established in last month, the rail traffic upward trend continues in November 2011 with rail traffic growing 3.0% year-over-year (total – rail carloads plus intermodal). This is a positive economic indicator for the coming months. Part of the reason for this new trend is that coal transport (which represents 38% of rail …
Continue reading “Rail Traffic Grows in November 2011: Indicates Strengthening Economy”