Shipping Traffic to US Nears an All-Time High

Sometimes unconventional indicators can shed some light on what’s happening with the economy.

As you can see, traffic from 20-foot ocean containers is at its highest level since January 2022. That’s a solid rebound from earlier in the year when there were concerns about how the White House’s trade policy would affect shipping.

Over the past few years, inbound ocean containers have seen some big swings caused by various factors, including port congestion, labor issues, and supply-chain concerns. So, I anticipate that the index could bounce around throughout the balance of the year.

But what I like about the chart is its unconventional approach to measuring economic activity. Too often, investors get so focused on inflation reports, job updates, and Fed meetings that they forget there are other ways to see what’s going on. 

Let me know if you follow an unconventional indicator. 

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