I think the following statistic is one worth noting and watching going forward.  It is entirely consistent with a Post I made on this Blog this past September 7 (read here) where I said:

“Watch the monthly U.S. net monthly trade deficit figure closely. It strikes me that when it drops significantly that will be a ‘several month delayed’ strong sign that the U.S. Consumer has significantly reduced spending. I say ‘several months delayed’ because it ought to take a few months for Walmart and others to cut back on their inventory purchases and for that to work its way through the ‘consumer system”

Quote from Association of American Railroads, articled headed ‘Rail Freight Traffic Slides During 2nd Week of 2009’, dated January 22:

“Carload freight totaled 267,063 cars, down 17.9 percent from 2008, with loadings down 13.2 percent in the West and 24.4 percent in the East. Intermodal volume of 199,117 trailers or containers was off 13.7 percent from last year, with container volume falling 10.2 percent and trailer volume dipping 27.0 percent. Total volume was estimated at 28.3 billion ton-miles, off 16.8 percent from 2008.”

I recommend you read the entire article in context by clicking here.

The views expressed in this Post are those of the author. They are offered to readers for information and general guidance only. They are neither intended to, nor should be taken to, constitute economic or investment advice. No check of data underlying articles or comments referenced herein has been made, and no responsibility is taken for them.  See Legal Disclaimer.

Possibly Related Posts:

• An Accident Waiting to Happen, or ‘Ever Closer To The Cliff’!
• After Spain, is Italy Next?
• Spain and Spanish Bank Dilemma!
• China Banking Camel In U.S. Tent?
• No Alternative To Austerity

Trackback URI | Comments RSS