Weekly Transportation Update: Retail Sales Decline as Manufacturing Output Drops

Industrial and consumer indicators were quite weak in December. 

•  Manufacturing output drops by the most in nearly two years. 
•  Retail sales decline sharply in December after a  downward revision to November estimate. 
•  Van segment rates again fall sharply in a typical cool-down from the holiday surge. 
•  Intermodal and rail carload volumes rise week over week, but intermodal gains were weaker.