Industrial production rose by a paltry 0.1% in February, restrained by a second consecutive decline in manufacturing activity
Data on producer prices shows that overall inflation pressure eased further in February, as a gain in goods prices was restrained by the service sector. Industry detail showed that overall trucking rates declined in February, led by the largest decline in long-distance truckload rates in four years.
Retail sales rebounded in January despite big declines in motor vehicle and gasoline sales. Gains in core sales helped to stabilize the retail sector during the month, erasing much of the decline from December 2018.
Job growth fell well short of expectations in February, as the economy added the fewest workers to payrolls since 2017. Hiring slumped in several industries during the month, but trucking employment increased for the ninth consecutive month.
Talks between the U.S. and China have made significant progress over the last several weeks, and the two sides appear to be closer to a deal than at any time over the past several months. However, while the restoration of positive trade relations will help the trade outlook, other factors are likely to keep trade growth subdued going forward.
A summary of the key developments in the U.S. economy over the past month and highlighted trends to watch in March.
The U.S. trade deficit in goods widened to a record in December 2018 as a sizeable decline in goods exports was paired with a jump in goods imports. This reversed the decline in the deficit from the previous month, and the drop in goods exports sent yearly growth into negative territory for the first time in over two years.
Retail sales tumbled by the largest amount in over nine years in December 2018, providing a disappointing end to what was otherwise a strong year for the retail sector. The 2018 holiday season ended up well below expectations, and introduces some fresh concerns about the strength of the economy going forward.
Saudi energy minister Khalid al-Falih announced on January 26 that the country is raising $426 billion in private sector investments, which will include roughly $36 billion for logistics infrastructure according to Reuters.
The U.S economy added over 300,000 jobs in January, marking the best monthly performance in nearly a year. Transportation and logistics employment continued to increase at an impressive pace, led by healthy gains in warehousing, parcel and trucking jobs.
The monthly economic roundup is a summary of recent event in the economy and a guide for key trends worth monitoring over the next month.
Apple’s manufacturing partner Foxconn Technology Group, which assembles Apple’s iPhone product in China, announced on Saturday that it has raised over $213 million for what it described as a “mega-development” in India.
Despite the temporary end to the government shutdown announced late Friday, the U.S. Census Bureau failed today to release its report on manufacturers’ durable goods shipments, inventories, and orders for the month of December 2018.
December was a month of growing uncertainty and severe declines in the U.S. financial markets. The only thing that seems to be growing is the level of ambiguity in everyone’s outlook.
Data on producer prices shows that overall inflation pressure calmed further in December, weighed down again by declines in energy prices. Industry detail showed that trucking rates continued to surge, however, driven by another large gain in long-distance trucking rates.
Economic and freight indicators are mixed, with some suggesting a downturn is coming, but others pointing to continued growth.
Manufacturers’ new orders for durable goods posted a modest rebound in November, driven by a surge in aircraft orders. Orders excluding transportation fell for the second time in three months. This is the latest in a string of disappointing releases from manufacturing, raising some questions about the health of one of the key drivers of freight demand headed into next year.
Recent results show that retail activity continued to expand in November, in a sign that one of the key components of freight demand remains healthy at the end of the year. Results from the manufacturing sector were far less encouraging however, as activity stalled during the month.
Data on producer prices shows that overall inflation pressure calmed in November, weighed down by declines in gasoline prices. Industry detail showed that trucking rates continues to surge, however, driven by another large gain in long-distance trucking rates.
On today’s episode, Craig Fuller, Dean Croke, and Ibrahiim Bayaan discuss ELDs and their impact on driver hours, trends in violations, and economic outlook.
