The Cass Freight Index, a “Measure of North American Freight Volumes” is up for the month of March but down once again on a year-over-year basis.
March shipping is 1.5 percent below the same month a year ago.
Both shipping and expenditures are lower than March 2015, 2014, and 2013.
A few charts show the slowing rate of freight shipping and the reasons behind it.
Cass Shipping Index
Cass Expenditures Index
The above indexes clearly are not seasonally adjusted so the the only valid comparison for March of 2016 is to March in prior years.
Shipping Look Ahead
The intermediate-term outlook for shipping is weak given mounting inventories.
Merchant Wholesalers: Inventories to Sales Ratio
Total Business Sales Detail
For more on charts and analysis of factors that influence shipping please see …
- Inventories and Sales: How Bad Are They? Study in Pictures
- Inventories -0.1%, Last Month Revised Lower; Inventories-to-Sales Ratio Very Steep 1.41
- Retail Sales -0.3%; Autos Down 4th Month, Plunge -2.1%; Hooray Gasoline Up 0.9%
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
I’m still waiting for the Christmas sales, and the after Christmas sales. I made a list before Thanksgiving. Prices went UP on black Friday. I can wait.
I noticed the lack of deals, as well.
Probably explains in part recessionary inventories / sales.
“March shipping is 1.5 percent below the same month a year ago”
Q1 2015 GDP a robust +0.6%.
Rail has been below 2015 (and prior years) year to date.
March should have seen a better boost due to early Easter.
Maybe, just maybe, the (real) economy trying to say something …
You're probably already aware of all of this,but,….I'm sending it non the less. have a good day!
Gesendet: Montag, 18. April 2016 um 08:45 Uhr Von: MishTalk <comment-reply@wordpress.com> An: larry.cooper@gmx.de Betreff: [New post] North American Freight Shipping Down Again; Where to From Here?
mishgea posted: "The Cass Freight Index, a "Measure of North American Freight Volumes" is up for the month of March but down once again on a year-over-year basis. March shipping is 1.5 percent below the same month a year ago. Both shipping and expenditures are lower"
I am sure its transitory……………………….
Just life in the post-growth age. No investment, no jobs, no money.
And, heck, even Kevin Bacon’s starting to look old and tired………
Not to worry – Obama tells us those saying the economy is not booming are liars – and we know he never lies.
If the enemy of my enemy is my friend, then should someone who is called a liar by a liar be considered honest?