Economic Indicator Not a Good Sign; Truck Tonnage Index Drops

By: Lance Winslow
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:25:20
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

As the United States rolls into Election Season with high stakes for both parties we seem to be getting some mixed indicators. First the Stock Market is now at an all time high, but last time we took out an all time high well it was all down hill from their for over a year. But things are different now they say. We seem to be looking at the usual fourth quarter rally coming and generally you have somewhat slow times in October, yet we are flying into the 2006 Fourth Quarter taking out a record high Dow.

Meanwhile foreclosures are on the rise and the home equity is at the lowest point in over a decade even though for now home ownership is right at its all-time high. The other thing on people’s minds is will the Feds raise rates or hold again? One other factor, which is troubling to many economists, as well as the self-proclaimed ones like me; is the trade deficit with China and the unfortunate deterioration of the truck tonnage index.

In August of 2006 it dropped 2.1 percent and last year this time even with high oil prices and fuel costs it was up .8 and usually or historically rather July and August are up. This may mean retailers are sketchy on things and fear a problematic Christmas Season and are not stocking up. Of course now that fuel has dropped the consumer will have more spend-able income come Christmas and Natural Gas is also down.

Indeed consumer debt is also at a record high and that might hurt Christmas Sales and with Iran getting their hands on Nuclear Weapons we might be looking at a show down soon, which could be a major media event. Will we get a stock slowdown in October and then a mid-October, November Rally into the January Barometer?

We will all know very soon. But right now I am troubled by the truck tonnage rates very much and we need to tread lightly here. This is a crucial time, even with many sectors having inflows due to recent spending bills. I hope you will consider all this as we finish up with 2006.

By Lance Winslow

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Economics category

  • Developments Prior to the Currency Debates - By: Rupert Mackenzie
    During the 18th century England was nominally on a bimetallic standard (consisting of silver and gold), however, the mint price of silver was intentionally undervalued to keep it out of circulation and thus a de facto gold standard functioned: banknotes issued both by the Bank of England and country banks were convertible into gold upon request.
  • Investors Moving Money to European Banks Fearing U.S. Economy and Major Bank Failures - By: Brett Schoneman
    "Many investors are placing part of their hard-earned money out of harms way into foreign banks that do not have exposure to the U.S. sub-prime mortgage crises," says Kevin Wessell, CEO of Offshore Company. Mr. Wessell is also the author of "Build Your Financial Castle" and a nationally renowned asset protection seminar speaker.
  • The success of Africa's exports - By: Paul McIndoe
    While Africa faces tremendous challenges on the road to integration into the world trading system, many African export sectors have actually outperformed world market growth.
  • The 10 Movers and Shakers in Turkey's Banking Sector - By: James Kara Murat
    In Turkey there are many sectors active and dynamic and the banking sector is one of them. The dynamism of the banking sector is a result of the lifting of certain restrictions
  • The Biggest Banking Mergers & Acquisitions in Turkey - By: James Kara Murat
    Turkey is making some economic reforms in order to become part of the European Union. As a result, the Turkish banking industry has seen many changes.
  • Barcelona economy - By: Kirsty Connell
    Barcelona has a highly diversified economic structure. Find out the facts which lead to the growth of Barcelona economy.
  • Indian Retailers Accelerate Evolving Pace - By: Gaurav Doshi
    Retail industry in India is gradually edging its way towards becoming the next boom industry with contributing more than 10% to Country’s GDP and around 8% employment. Several Indian and global players are developing strategies to enter such a fast paced and growing market. Also the whole retail industry is taking new shape, the traditional market giving way for the more organized market in the form of departmental stores, hypermarkets, supermarkets and specialty stores.
  • The Real State of the Economy - Good or Bad? - By: Stephen Morgan
    There is something about the US Economy at the moment that I for one don’t get. Now it may be that being a brit, I am a little slow on the uptake; this has been known to happen every now and then but at the moment I cannot fathom several things out.Firstly, the UK economy, despite the Chancellors proud claims, is not in exactly the best of shapes but in the US, the Government is technically, if not practically bankrupt.
  • India Emerging As A Global Healthcare Destination - By: Christine Macguire
    Health is vital for ethical, artistic, material and spiritual development of man. It is very certain that of all the gains, the gains of health are the highest and the best. Traveling abroad for treatment has been an age-old practice.
  • India-Srilanka Free Trade Agreement(FTA): The Success and Road Ahead - By: Dr Suvrokamal Dutta
    The Free Trade Agreement between India and Srilanka came into full existence from 1st March 2000.This FTA basically deals with the modalities of the Duty Free Import of the Goods manufactured in Srilanka. Which exempt specified goods imported under Indo-Srilanka Free Trade Agreement from the Import Duty up to 100%.