economics

China’s economy is sputtering

In the latest indicators of China’s economic health, a confluence of falling bond yields, declining GDP growth and persistent consumer price deflation paints a concerning picture for the world’s second-largest economy. Throughout 2024, China’s GDP growth has been a subject of intense scrutiny, with estimates from China-skeptical Rhodium Group ranging between 2.4% and 2.8%. These figures starkly contrast with the official statistics reported by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/chinas-economy-is-sputtering

Trump offers high reward, high risk for trucking industry, experts says

A light approach to regulation and big tax cuts will be a boon for the trucking industry under a Donald Trump presidency, but Trump’s unpredictable management style poses a big long-term risk to the economy and motor carriers, freight economist Noel Perry said Wednesday.

“We are in an extraordinarily risky environment. Whatever you say about the politics of Donald Trump, his management style is highly volatile and therefore risky. It may give better outcomes, but it’s highly risky,” said Perry,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/trump-offers-high-reward-high-risk-for-trucking-industry-experts-says

Report: Election, port strikes focus nation’s attention on food imports

A new analysis by researchers at Trace One on issues related to food imports finds that the upcoming presidential election and the International Longshoremen’s Association strike at East and Gulf Coast ports have shined a spotlight on imports.

The study monitored changes in food imports over time, the amount of food imported compared to total consumption, top trading partners and top food items imported for each state.

The report, published Oct. 21, reviewed the most recent data from the U.S....

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/report-election-port-strikes-focus-nations-attention-on-food-imports

Port of Singapore congestion raising spot market prices, report finds

Congestion at the Port of Singapore has slowed docking of trade vessels and boosted spot market prices.

That is according to a recently published “Supply Chain Market Pulse” report by global consulting firm AlixPartners. It finds that the demand/supply dynamic for ocean trade has reversed in recent months. The June report says that while demand is not up, supply constraints have severely restricted available ocean vessels, resulting in higher spot market prices for now.

Compared with...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/port-of-singapore-congestion-raising-spot-market-prices-report-finds

What a fleet or driver should expect running FEMA loads

Pallets of supplies ranging from generators, bottled water, to MREs 

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This article was originally published on freightwaves.com in 2017 in reaction to Hurricane Harvey....

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/2017/8/27/what-to-expect-with-fema

What does air cargo’s early peak season mean for peak season?

Demand and rates for airfreight transportation continue to soar through the normally soft summer season, powered by the unrelenting strength of e-commerce fulfillment from China and shippers pulling forward orders for the winter holidays to protect against rising costs, capacity shortages and worsening ocean shipping delays.

Air cargo volumes remain elevated from major Asian and Middle Eastern origins, especially to Europe, amid cascading effects on port productivity resulting from the effective...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/what-does-air-cargos-early-peak-season-mean-for-peak-season

Second chance success with Emerge Career – Taking the Hire Road

Uzoma “Zo” Orchingwa, co-founder of Emerge Career, sat down with Taking the Hire Road host Jeremy Reymer to discuss justice and social change in the context of hiring and career development.

Having spent most of his formative years in Nigeria, Orchingwa was always intrigued and concerned by the disparity in living conditions between places like Nigeria and what he saw in American television and movies. “Understanding social ills and why things are the way they are formed a through line that...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/second-chance-success-with-emerge-career-taking-the-hire-road

Will shippers’ confidence change when carriers regain pricing power?

Will 2024 bring a definitive end to the current freight recession?

That’s certainly the hope of the freight market writ large. Many carriers and brokers hobbled through 2023, and those still operating are anxiously awaiting any sign that pricing power is swinging back in their favor.

There are some indications that’s starting but not yet on a widespread or dramatic basis. The first quarter, after all, is historically a difficult one for freight. Adding to that is the fact that the final months of...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freight-sentiment-indexes-q1-2024

Layoffs and bankruptcies pile up in logistics amid shocking downturn

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Since launching in 2017, FreightWaves’ team of award-winning reporters has covered the good — and bad

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/layoffs-and-bankruptcies-pile-up-in-logistics-amid-shocking-downturn

Finance expert points to cautionary signals for US freight demand

It’s actually possible for the freight economy, which has been stuck in recession for 18 months, to get worse even though the economy produced robust 4.9% growth in the third quarter, according to Danielle DiMartino Booth.

The QI Research CEO said the firehose of federal stimulus that has lasted three years is finally coming to an end, which will reduce purchasing power for millions of consumers. Her comments came Thursday during the second annual F3: Future of Freight Festival in Chattanooga,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/finance-expert-points-to-cautionary-signals-for-us-freight-demand

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