Stifel Nicolaus confidence index shows 50pc plus optimistic about 2013
THE Stifel Nicolaus Logistics Confidence Index increased for the fourth consecutive month in February 2013 in the lead-up to Chinese Lunar New Year, according to the latest industry study undertaken by UK's Transport Intelligence. The overall index, an average of the current and expected situation, increased 3.3 points to 52.1 from 48.8 in January.
The Stifel Nicolaus index includes a monthly survey of international shippers and forwarders that measures freight activity across several European trade lanes. An index value of 50 indicates no change in the volumes currently being experienced for the time of year; above 50 indicates higher volumes, while below 50 indicates lower volumes.
Both sea and air forwarders indicated an improvement in the present environment compared with January. The index for air freight increased 3.4 points to 43.1 in February, while the increase in sea freight was slightly less marked, up 1.7 points to 48.3.
The approach of the Chinese New Year was apparent, as the Asia to Europe lane for both air and sea saw a greater improvement than other routes. Most notably, for sea freight, the index on the Asia to Europe trade lane registered above the 50 mark, the first route to do so since the index began in March 2012.
Forwarders also expressed greater confidence regarding the six-month outlook, with volumes expected to pick up relative to the time of year.
Ti economist Lucy Palmer said the increase in volumes is partly down to the expected lead-up to Chinese New Year creating a spike in the index: "However the fact that expectations also recorded such a strong improvement is promising."
The survey confirmed optimism in the logistics sector for an improved outlook in 2013 with some 60 per cent of participants holding the belief that the economy will improve while the remaining 40 per cent did not expect recovery.
The Stifel Logistics Confidence Index is generated from an extensive survey of global logistics professionals, asked to provide their views on current levels of volumes in the industry and their expectations for six months' time.
THE Stifel Nicolaus Logistics Confidence Index increased for the fourth consecutive month in February 2013 in the lead-up to Chinese Lunar New Year, according to the latest industry study undertaken by UK's Transport Intelligence. The overall index, an average of the current and expected situation, increased 3.3 points to 52.1 from 48.8 in January.
The Stifel Nicolaus index includes a monthly survey of international shippers and forwarders that measures freight activity across several European trade lanes. An index value of 50 indicates no change in the volumes currently being experienced for the time of year; above 50 indicates higher volumes, while below 50 indicates lower volumes.
Both sea and air forwarders indicated an improvement in the present environment compared with January. The index for air freight increased 3.4 points to 43.1 in February, while the increase in sea freight was slightly less marked, up 1.7 points to 48.3.
The approach of the Chinese New Year was apparent, as the Asia to Europe lane for both air and sea saw a greater improvement than other routes. Most notably, for sea freight, the index on the Asia to Europe trade lane registered above the 50 mark, the first route to do so since the index began in March 2012.
Forwarders also expressed greater confidence regarding the six-month outlook, with volumes expected to pick up relative to the time of year.
Ti economist Lucy Palmer said the increase in volumes is partly down to the expected lead-up to Chinese New Year creating a spike in the index: "However the fact that expectations also recorded such a strong improvement is promising."
The survey confirmed optimism in the logistics sector for an improved outlook in 2013 with some 60 per cent of participants holding the belief that the economy will improve while the remaining 40 per cent did not expect recovery.
The Stifel Logistics Confidence Index is generated from an extensive survey of global logistics professionals, asked to provide their views on current levels of volumes in the industry and their expectations for six months' time.