Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
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JOURNAL TRUCKGAUGE Inventories steady at lean levels The ratio of inventories to sales in the economy remained 1.27 in January following a slight upward revision in the December 2011 ratio, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The ratio now has been at 1.27 for six straight months and has remained barely higher than the all-time low of 1.25, which was achieved in March 2011 as well as in late 2005 and early 2006. Continuation of lean inventories relative to sales suggests normal shipment levels in the near term for trucking companies. Truck loadings rise in February (Seasonally Adjusted: 2000=100) 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 93.8% Truck loadings were up 0.42% in February from January, according to the FTR Loadings Index published monthly by transportation forecast- ing fi rm FTR Associates. Compared to February 2011, the FTR Loadings Index is up 2.11%. SOURCE: FTR ASSOCIATES 2009 2010 2011 2012 Manufacturing orders growth slows (Above 50%: generally expanding) 50 The February index declined 2.7 points below the January level, suggesting continued growth in freight shipments but at a slower rate than in January. The composite PMI stood at 52.4% – 1.7 points lower than in January. SOURCE: INSTITUTE OF SUPPLY MANAGEMENT NEW ORDERS INDEX 2.4% in February over Rail carloads were down 1.9%. Trailer and container loads for U.S. railroads were up February 2011. For more data, forecasts and trends, as well as alerts and weekly and monthly summaries, subscribe to TruckGauge at www.truckgauge.com. 54.9% 22 COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | APRIL 2012 Write 234 on Reader Service Card or visit ccjdigital.com/info 55 60 40 45