Over the Road Trucked Shipping Decline Signals Weaker Holiday Season, Reports Latest Ceridian-UCLA Pulse of Commerce Index™

MINNEAPOLIS and LOS ANGELES, Nov. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ceridian-UCLA Pulse of Commerce Index™ (PCI), a real-time measure of the flow of goods to U.S. factories, retailers, and consumers, fell 0.6 percent in October following a decline of 0.5 percent in September and a decline of 1.0 percent in August. The three consecutive month decline is the first since January 2009, when the U.S. was still deep in recession. The negative month-over-month trajectory for October, typically a peak month for America's trucking industry, may also prelude a disappointing holiday retail season.

"The October PCI sounds an alarm about growth in the fourth quarter, and our latest PCI data indicates retailer wariness about future sales prospects," said Ed Leamer, chief PCI economist and director of the UCLA Anderson Forecast.

On a year-over-year basis, the October 2010 PCI is 4.1 percent higher than October 2009, which typically signals better sales prospects. However, year-over-year increases in the PCI have continued to fall since May's 9.0 percent growth peak, dropping to 8.6 percent in June, 8.0 percent in July, 6.0 percent in August, 5.8 percent in September, and now 4.1 percent in October. The quarter-over-quarter findings show a similar downward trend with the first quarter 9.7 percent above the fourth quarter of 2009, the second quarter 6.2 percent above the first, and the third quarter 2.1 percent above the second.

"We have had a recovery 'time out,'" summarized Leamer. "Since May's peak, trucking has receded 8.3 percent. Fortunately, the full stew of economic information does not appear to foretell a double dip in the coming.  Rather, the economic malaise that set-in this summer is still very much with us."

With the three-to-one relationship between the PCI and GDP growth in recessions and recoveries, the 4.1 percent PCI growth figure translates into 1.3 percent year-over-year GDP growth.

The PCI also tracks closely on a monthly basis to the Industrial Production Index (to be released later this month). The declines in the PCI in the last three months suggest further slowing of growth of industrial production, anticipating another decrease of 0.16 percent adjusted downward from last month's prediction of 0.11 percent.

"While it's discouraging to see the PCI decline for the third consecutive month, October represents the eleventh straight month of year over year growth in the index.  This means that the holiday sales season will likely be better than last year, but potentially disappointing versus current expectations in the marketplace," said Craig Manson, senior vice president and index expert for Ceridian. "Should consumers show early exuberance, October's decline may only spell postponement to November. However, the PCI's performance indicates that retailers lack confidence in the coming sales season."

The Ceridian-UCLA Pulse of Commerce Index also provides data for the nine Census regions. The economic downturn has similarly affected nearly all regions of the country. Only the Pacific (e.g. California) and the East North Central (e.g. Illinois) experienced growth this month:  0.7 percent and 1.0 percent, respectively.  The balance of Census regions fell: Mountain down 0.2 percent, West South Central down 0.6 percent, West North Central down 0.9 percent, East South Central down 1.0 percent, South Atlantic down 1.1 percent, New England down 1.9 percent, and Middle Atlantic down 2.2 percent. 

The complete October report and additional commentary are available at www.ceridianindex.com or by contacting [email protected]. The site offers further detail such as index graphs and downloadable data, video commentary and sound bites, information on how the data is obtained, and the opportunity to receive updates on the latest information via e-mail and RSS feeds.

About Ceridian-UCLA Pulse of Commerce Index

The Ceridian-UCLA Pulse of Commerce Index™ is based on real-time diesel fuel consumption data for over the road trucking and serves as an indicator of the state and possible future direction of the U.S. economy. By tracking the volume and location of fuel being purchased, the index closely monitors the over the road movement of raw materials, goods-in-process and finished goods to U.S. factories, retailers and consumers. Working with economists at UCLA Anderson School of Management and Charles River Associates, Ceridian provides the index monthly and also offers companies access to more detailed fuel-use information. Ceridian is a global business services company providing electronic and stored value card payment services and human resources solutions. UCLA Anderson School of Management is perennially ranked among top-tier business schools in the world. Charles River Associates is a leading global consulting firm that offers economic, financial, and business management expertise to organizations around the world.

For additional information on the Ceridian-UCLA Pulse of Commerce Index, please visit www.ceridianindex.com.

SOURCE Ceridian-UCLA Pulse of Commerce Index