Transportation Stocks’ Strength Puzzles Analysts

The local Louisville Courier-Journal reported today, 3/30, that despite what most are saying about a looming if not already present recession, transportation stocks are performing quite well.  Kenneth Tower, chief market strategist at Covered Bridge Tactical states “Here we are in what most people think is going to be an extended economic slowdown and yet we have much better action, certainly among the truckers and railroads, than one would expect.” Why is that good news for our economy?  Think about it.  How do all goods and services get to the local stores?  They are delivered in bulk by ship, train, to a large semi-trailer.  Then the goods are broken down from their bulk shipments into local delivery quantities, then delivered to your local store by UPS, or another less than truck-load transportation company.   And if trucks are still moving goods, that means people are buying them!  Proof is in my visit to our local mall yesterday.  The parking lot nicely full, and the mall bustling with activity.  Outside people were picking up furniture and large purchases in their pickups, and everyone had a bag in hand when leaving (except me).Despite mainstream media’s attempt to convince us our economy is slagging, we are consumers driven by pleasure derived out of our next purchase.  This economy may take a breather, but it’s not going south.  We just love our “stuff” too much!