U.S. truck tonnage jumps 3.8%

U.S. truck tonnage jumps 3.8%    Freight volumes for U.S. trucking companies surged 3.8 percent in January from December, according to the monthly tonnage index published by the American Trucking Associations.
   The seasonally adjusted survey of ATA members' business activity also showed that volumes increased 8 percent in January on a year-over-year basis — the most since April 2010. Last year truck tonnage increased 5.7 percent amid inventory restocking and a pickup in consumer confidence. Even then, the best months typically experienced advances of 0.8 percent to 1.7 percent.
   Trucking is considered a bellwether of the broader economy.
   The index stands at 117.1, based on a 100-point baseline, it's highest level since January 2008. In December, truck volume grew 2.5 percent.
   The January gains are considered a positive sign, especially since much of the country was gripped by huge snowstorms that made truck deliveries more difficult and closed many businesses.
   The biggest threat to continued growth in truck volumes is the recent run-up in oil prices, which could dampen consumer demand, ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said in a statement.