“The second, third and fourth weeks of September were the three highest intermodal rail volume weeks on record for U.S. railroads, the Association of American Railroads reported. In the second week of September, volume increased 5% to 279,052, in the third week it increased 6.4% to 279,777, and it climbed 2% last week to 275,071, according to figures from the rail trade group.”
News / 2014
“Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 248,000 in September, and the unemployment rate declined to 5.9 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment increased in professional and business services, retail trade, and health care.”
“The September PMI® registered 56.6 percent, a decrease of 2.4 percentage points from August’s reading of 59 percent, indicating continued expansion in manufacturing. The New Orders Index registered 60 percent, a decrease of 6.7 percentage points from the 66.7 percent reading in August, indicating growth in new orders for the 16th consecutive month. The Production Index registered 64.6 percent, 0.1 percentage point above the August reading of 64.5 percent.”
“The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®, which had increased in August, declined in September. The Index now stands at 86.0 (1985=100), down from 93.4 in August. The Present Situation Index decreased to 89.4 from 93.9, while the Expectations Index dropped to 83.7 from 93.1 in August.” – The Conference Board
Please see the message below from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Food Facility Registration and Reportable Food Registry. The 2014 Biennial Food Facility Registration renewal period begins October 1st and ends December 31st. Visit FDA.gov for more information.
“American Trucking Associations’advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index increased 1.6% in August, following a gain of 1.5% the previous month. In August, the index equaled 132.6 (2000=100) versus 130.5 in July. August’s index is the highest on record, surpassing November 2013 (131.0).”
A fire broke out at the Port of Los Angeles Monday night, threatening a warehouse and nearby cargo ships. An article from the Los Angeles Times reported toxic fumes were being released from the fire early Tuesday morning, causing concerns over air quality. No injuries have been reported.
Any individual directly involved in the import process may have personal liability for incorrect Customs declarations, according to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
As he prepared to begin a second term as Colombia’s president on August 7th, the first name that Juan Manuel Santos inked in for his cabinet was Mauricio Cardenas, who keeps his job as finance minister. That was no surprise: helped by an investment boom, the country’s economy grew by 6.4% in the first quarter compared with the same period last year. Mr Cardenas says the second quarter was strong, too. The government will be raising its growth forecast for this year from 4.7%.