American truck tonnage increases 2.8 per cent in December: ATA

THE American Trucking Associations' advance seasonally adjusted for-hire truck tonnage index increased 2.8 per cent in December after gaining a revised 3.9 per cent in November 2012.

"December was better than expected in light of the very difficult year-over-year comparison," ATA chief economist Bob Costello said, in reference to the 6.4 per cent surge experienced in December 2011.

"As paycheques shrink for all households due to higher taxes, I'm expecting a weak first quarter for tonnage and the broader economy," he said.