Fed Sees Mixed Transportation Demand

U.S. economic activity continued to “expand moderately” between mid-November and early January, but demand for transportation services was mixed, the Federal Reserve said.

Fed districts based in Cleveland, Atlanta and Kansas City, Mo., saw “stable to slowing” demand for shipping services, the Fed said in its latest “beige book” report, released Wednesday.

The Richmond, Va., district was one where trucking firms saw an increase in demand.

In the Cleveland district, demand for freight transportation was stable during the report period, while in Atlanta, freight volume had leveled off after increases earlier in the year.

Kansas City noted that transportation activity was higher than a year earlier, but had slowed from previous reporting periods. In Dallas, business was mixed in freight transportation, but mostly positive, the Fed said.

The Fed releases its beige book report eight times a year. Wednesday’s report, which covered the period of Nov. 20 through Jan. 3, was prepared by the Boston Fed.