CCJ‘s Indicators rounds up the latest reports on trucking business indicators on rates, freight, equipment, the economy and more.
The amount of freight moved by the for-hire trucking industry fell in December on a monthly basis for the first time since September, according to the American Trucking Associations’ monthly For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index. Tonnage in December dipped 5.7 percent from the month prior, ATA reported Tuesday.
However, for all of 2017, the index was up 3.7 percent from 2016. This was the largest annual gain since 2013’s 6.1 percent jump from 2012.
Compared with December 2016, tonnage grew 5.9 percent.
“Despite the decline in December, last year was a solid year for truck tonnage, especially during the second half of 2017,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “I remain optimistic for 2018 for a host of reasons, including a pick-up in factory activity, better housing construction, solid retail sales, and an expected shot in the arm from the new tax law.”
