U.S. trucking index reflects ?volatility and softness?

U.S. trucking index reflects ôvolatility and softnessö The American Trucking Associations said its seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index increased 0.8 percent in November, following a 0.2 percent contraction in October. The non-seasonally adjusted index decreased 8.5 percent from October to 111.8.
   On a seasonally adjusted basis, the tonnage index improved to 112 (year 2000 equals 100) in November from 111.1 the previous month. The index grew 3.3 percent compared with the year earlier.
   ATA Economist Tavio Headley said the November tonnage reading suggests continued volatility and softness in freight volumes, despite the month-to-month and year-over-year gains. Headley noted that every monthly increase in the seasonally adjusted tonnage index, since March, was followed by a contraction the next month.
   The slowdown in tonnage volumes is projected to continue into 2008. 'Based on the latest economic data and the expected slowdown in the economy over the next few quarters, we anticipate lackluster freight volumes at least through the first half of 2008,' Headley said.