Ceridian/UCLA: Mar Pulse Of Commerce Index +0.3% vs +0.7% Feb

By Ian McKendry

WASHINGTON (MNI) – The flow of goods to U.S. factories, retailers
and consumers increased 0.3% in March, according to the Ceridian-UCLA
Pulse of Commerce Index, building on a 0.7% increase in February.

The seasonally adjusted Ceridian-UCLA index, which tracks diesel
fuel purchases by over-the-road trucks, was still down 2.2%
year-over-year in March.

The index was 4.9% lower in the first quarter of 2012 than it was
in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Regionally, the East North Central (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan,
Ohio, and Wisconsin) saw the biggest increase at +0.2% and the West
North Central (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota
and South Dakota) saw the biggest decrease at -5.5%.

The PCI index is compiled by tracking credit card purchases of
diesel fuel by trucks on major trucking hubs.

** MNI Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 **

[TOPICS: MAUDS$,M$U$$$]