US truck freight volume reached a record high in January 2013, increasing by 6.5% year-over-year, according to the American Trucking Associations. This suggests a potential economic recovery. Inventory replenishment and a rebounding housing market are key drivers. However, fiscal challenges still pose a risk. The trucking industry serves as an economic barometer, with its performance closely linked to the overall health of the economy.
March 2021 on-time performance data for the top four North American express delivery giants reveals an overall improvement, but FedEx significantly lags behind. The on-time rate of FedEx Economy declined substantially after its transformation. Businesses should prioritize on-time delivery rate, flexibly adjust their choice of courier companies, optimize estimated delivery times, and consider regional carriers to improve logistics efficiency and customer satisfaction.
The Global Trade Pulse Report reveals a mixed outlook for the global economy. The IMF and OECD have lowered economic growth forecasts, with North American trade data declining, while European exports show strong performance. High inventory-to-sales ratios remain a concern. Businesses should closely monitor market dynamics, flexibly adjust supply chain and inventory management, expand online sales channels, and strengthen risk management to cope with uncertainties.
The American Trucking Associations forecasts that truck freight volume will reach 13.99 billion tons by 2035, capturing 76.8% of the freight market share, with significant revenue growth. The report emphasizes the central role of trucking in the supply chain and provides crucial strategic insights for industry leaders and policymakers. This forecast highlights the continued dominance of trucking in the US freight landscape and underscores its importance to the national economy.
For the week of March 26, 2022, U.S. rail freight showed a mixed trend. Carload traffic increased slightly by 0.5%, mainly driven by increased coal and chemical shipments. However, intermodal traffic declined significantly by 6.2%, reflecting persistent supply chain bottlenecks. Overall North American rail traffic also experienced a year-over-year decrease. The data suggests the U.S. economy faces multiple challenges, including supply chain issues, structural adjustments, and inflation.
According to the Association of American Railroads, for the week ending November 8th, U.S. rail carload traffic saw a slight increase of 0.1%, while intermodal traffic decreased by 8.7% year-over-year. Year-to-date, carload traffic is up 1.8%, and intermodal traffic is up 2.5%. These figures reflect the ongoing structural adjustments within the U.S. economy, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing the global supply chain.
According to the Association of American Railroads, for the week ending August 27th, U.S. rail carload traffic increased by 3.4% year-over-year, while intermodal containers and trailers decreased by 0.3%. In the first 34 weeks of 2022, carload traffic rose by 0.1% year-over-year, but intermodal traffic fell by 5.3%. These figures highlight the complexity of the U.S. economy. Investors should analyze the data rationally and seize opportunities.
According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. rail freight traffic decreased by 0.5% and intermodal volume declined by 2.6% for the week ending September 13. Despite recent weakness, year-to-date rail freight and intermodal traffic are still up 2.3% and 3.8%, respectively. The report highlights growth in sectors like chemicals and automobiles, alongside declines in coal and agricultural products, reflecting structural shifts within the U.S. economy.
American Trucking Associations President Bill Graves warns of a critical funding gap for US infrastructure. He suggests fuel tax reform as a potential solution, but acknowledges significant political hurdles. Graves emphasizes the need for bipartisan cooperation, stating that failure to address infrastructure issues will negatively impact the US economy. He urges policymakers to prioritize long-term economic stability over short-term political gains to ensure a robust and efficient transportation network.
UPS's second-quarter earnings report revealed a 2.7% year-over-year decline in revenue, with earnings per share at only $1.55, falling short of expectations. Operating profit also decreased by 6.3%, as the company faces dual pressures from economic uncertainty and a drop in shipping volume from Amazon.
