US truck tonnage remained at record high through December

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ARLINGTON, Va. — US for-hire truck tonnage was flat in December, but up 5.2% compared to December 2013, marking the largest year-over-year gain of the year.

The American Trucking Associations For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index in December equaled November’s all-time high. It closed out 2014 up 3.5% compared to 2013.

“Economic data was mixed in December, with retail sales down 0.9% and factory output up 0.3%, so tonnage was in between those two readings, which are two large drivers of truck freight,” said ATA chief economist Bob Costello. “Overall, 2014 was a good year for truck tonnage with significant gains throughout the year after falling 4.5% in January alone.”

Costello predicts tonnage will remain strong in early 2015.

“Freight volumes look good going into 2015,” he said. “Expect an acceleration in consumer spending and factory output to offset the weakness in hydraulic fracking this year.”

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