Though the U.S. economy is beginning to work its way up, recovery is projected to be a long and its stability fragile through most of 2010. According to economists with The Conference Board, capital investments for some will be cancelled out by flat activity in others. Of concern for the trucking industry is continued low consumer spending, which impacts freight. This limited consumer activity is expected to be affected by high levels of unemployment that may not ease up until late 2010. The Conference Board predicts that emerging and developing countries will see the most improvement in the global economy.

Global Economy Expected To Improve with Little Help from U.S.

Economists with The Conference Board are projecting a slow recovery for the global economy next year. Much of the growth will come from emerging and developing countries, while only moderate economic growth is projected for the U.S. in 2010.

The group also cautioned that the recovery will remain fragile, as growth in some sectors – such as capital spending by corporations – will be balanced out by continued retraction in others, like commercial real estate. Consumer spending is also likely to remain flat or below previous levels, which could reduce inventory replenishment activity—which is a major source of freight for truckers.

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