ATA tonnage index slips in April

The American Trucking Assns. seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index declined 1.1% in April, the trucking lobby reported. But that represents a 2% increase from April 2007—the sixth consecutive year-over-year increase.

ATA added that March’s index was not as negative as previously reported, falling 1.7% instead of the previously reported 3.2%, and the year-over-year reading was revised from a 0.1% contraction to a 1.5% gain.

“Truck tonnage hasn’t grown since January of this year on a month-to-month basis, suggesting the overall economy remains very soft,” said ATA chief economist Bob Costello. “With that said, the fact that tonnage is showing sustained year-over-year growth is positive for the industry, although part of the strength is due to easy comparisons from 2007.”

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