Stifel shipping confidence index up 0.4 points to 52.5 in March
THE recent Stifel Logistics Confidence Index compiled by the UK's Transport Intelligence (Ti) was up 0.4 points to 52.5 in March from 52.1 in February, implying that forwarders are more optimistic about market prospects.
The index for logistics expectation rose 1.3 points to 59.7 in March.
But the index also showed a 0.3 index point decline to 45.4 from 45.7 in February. Since March 2012, the index has been hovering below the 50 level, meaning weaker volumes and harsh global economic environment remain unchanged.
Said Ti economist Lucy Palmer: "Regardless of a decline in the current index, forwarders' confidence surrounding future market conditions strengthened further. This seems surprising; however it could be that the fall back in the index for March was a one-off resulting from manufacturer closures for the Chinese New Year. Results over the next couple of months will tell us whether or not this is the case."
THE recent Stifel Logistics Confidence Index compiled by the UK's Transport Intelligence (Ti) was up 0.4 points to 52.5 in March from 52.1 in February, implying that forwarders are more optimistic about market prospects.
The index for logistics expectation rose 1.3 points to 59.7 in March.
But the index also showed a 0.3 index point decline to 45.4 from 45.7 in February. Since March 2012, the index has been hovering below the 50 level, meaning weaker volumes and harsh global economic environment remain unchanged.
Said Ti economist Lucy Palmer: "Regardless of a decline in the current index, forwarders' confidence surrounding future market conditions strengthened further. This seems surprising; however it could be that the fall back in the index for March was a one-off resulting from manufacturer closures for the Chinese New Year. Results over the next couple of months will tell us whether or not this is the case."