Trucking activity in the United States was unchanged in January, according to the American Trucking Associations (ATA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index, despite a myriad factors that depressed freight volumes around the country.
“After declines in November and December totaling 1.7%, tonnage was unchanged in January” says ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “This outcome is impressive considering the massive winter storm that brought cold temperatures and significant snowfalls to large parts of the country, including those that rarely see such storms.
He adds, “Furthermore, the terrible wildfires in California likely also caused freight disruptions. Softness in manufacturing and retail sales continue to be a drag on truck freight volumes as well, so the fact tonnage was flat is a positive sign.”
In January, the ATA advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index equaled 111.9 the same as December. The index, which is based on 2015 as 100, was up 0.3% from the same month last year, the first year-over-year increase since August. ATA adds the not seasonally adjusted index, which calculates raw changes in tonnage hauled, equaled 110 in January, 1.1% above December’s reading of 108.9.
[RELATED: Used sales volumes leapt forward in January]
ATA also states it recently revised the seasonally adjusted index back five years as part of its annual revision.
