ATA truck tonnage index up 2.7%

   The American Trucking Associations’ For-Hire seasonally adjusted Truck Tonnage Index increased 2.7 percent in November, after falling 1.9 percent in October, the association reported.
   “Tonnage snapped back in November, which fits with several other economic indicators,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “Assuming that December isn’t weak, tonnage growth this year will be more than twice the gain in 2012.”
   In November, the index equaled 128.5 versus 125.1 in October, and the association said November’s level is a record high. Compared with November 2012, the seasonally adjusted index increased 8.1 percent, which was lower than October’s 9-percent increase. The ATA said year-to-date, compared with the same period in 2012, tonnage is up 5.8 percent.
   The not seasonally adjusted index was 122.4 in November, which is 8.8 percent below the previous month’s 134.2.