January Truck Tonnage Index Declines 3.6%, ATA Says

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American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted truck tonnage index fell 3.6% in January following an increase in December, ATA said Tuesday. The index fell to 110.9 from 115.1 in December. The not seasonally adjusted index rose 6.5% from December, to 108.ATA also said it had revised the tonnage index back five years, resulting in a slightly better 2006 than previously reported, although the index was still down for the year. ATA’s index fell 1.7% from 2005, rather than the originally reported 3% drop.December’s tonnage level, meanwhile, rose 6.2%, higher than the previously reported 3.8% increase. ATA annually revises the index as part of its calculation for the upcoming year’s seasonal factors.“Tonnage levels have become even more volatile in recent months, fitting with the anecdotal reports from motor carriers,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello.“January was not particularly good, which is highlighted by the tonnage index falling substantially from both December 2006 and January 2006. These reductions also fit with other economic data, including the purchasing managers’ index and manufacturing production,” he said.