ITS Logistics November Supply Chain Report: Inflationary Pressure and Monetary Policy Uncertainty Among List of Key Concerns that Could Impact Supply Chain in 2025

BY GlobeNewswire | ECONOMIC | 09:08 AM EST

RENO, Nev., Dec. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ITS Logistics released the November ITS Supply Chain Report. Last month, the U.S. economy displayed resilience amidst a transitioning monetary policy and external disruptions but faced ongoing challenges in housing affordability, labor market cooling, and inflationary stickiness. Growth prospects also remain modestly positive, with fiscal and monetary adjustments likely to play key roles in 2025. Despite having a positive outcome for November, the U.S. economic outlook is influenced by several key risks that could impact growth and stability in the near term. These key concerns include inflationary pressure, monetary policy uncertainty, global economic uncertainty, and consumer confidence.

?Recent data indicates that inflation remains a concern, with the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index expected to rise by 2.5% in November, up from 2.3% in October,? said ITS Logistics CFO Stan Kolev. ?This upward trend suggests that inflation is becoming more persistent, which may compel the Federal Reserve to maintain higher interest rates for an extended period, potentially dampening economic growth.?

As the Federal Reserve's approach to curbing inflation continues to remain under scrutiny, the speed and scale of these adjustments will be evaluated at each meeting, introducing uncertainty into financial markets and investment planning. Furthermore, while the global economic environment presents additional risks, the European Union?s economy is returning to modest growth after a period of stagnation. However, geopolitical tensions and energy security concerns pose significant uncertainties.

While the economy continues to evolve, further impacting various supply chain sectors as 2024 comes to a close, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Manufacturing Purchase Managers? Index (PMI) registered at 48.4% in November, an increase of 1.9 points compared to October. In addition, the Savannah freight market showcased import volumes that were 12% whigher than last year, driving up outbound truckload volumes by 16% year over year (YOY).

FreightWaves The Stockout recently reported that, as it relates to the closely monitored freight market, the tender rejection rate has risen steadily since early October despite the tender volume decline. This implies that capacity is leaving the market, leading to a tighter freight market. Principal Analyst at DAT Freight and Analytics, Dean Croke, said, ?I sort of caution people to pause and take a breath about what next year looks like. I see more headwinds than anything, especially in the first six months for carriers in particular as well as manufacturers and shippers. This is because it will take time for interest rate cuts to materialize, for any changes in corporate tax cuts to flow through to business, and for that to result in some sort of an economic stimulus.?

ITS Logistics offers a full suite of network transportation solutions across North America and distribution and fulfillment services to 95% of the U.S. population within two days. These services include drayage and intermodal in 22 coastal ports and 30 rail ramps, a full suite of asset and asset-lite transportation solutions, omnichannel distribution and fulfillment, LTL, and outbound small parcel.

The monthly ITS Supply Chain Report serves to inform ITS employees, partners, and customers of marketplace changes and updates. The information in the report combines data provided through DAT and various industry sources with insights from the ITS team. Visit here for a comprehensive copy of the report with expected industry insights and market updates.

About ITS Logistics
ITS Logistics?is one of North America's fastest-growing, asset-based modern 3PLs, providing solutions for the industry?s most complicated supply chain challenges.?With a people-first culture committed to excellence, the company relentlessly strives to deliver unmatched value through?best-in-class service, expertise, and innovation. The ITS Logistics portfolio features North America's?#19 asset-lite freight brokerage, the?#12 drayage and intermodal solution, a?top 50 dedicated fleet, an innovative cloud-based technology ecosystem, and a nationwide distribution and fulfillment network.

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ITS Logistics November Supply Chain Report
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Inflationary Pressure and Monetary Policy Uncertainty Among List of Key Concerns that Could Impact Supply Chain in 2025
Source: ITS Logistics

In general the bond market is volatile, and fixed income securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest rates rise, bond prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities.) Fixed income securities also carry inflation risk and credit and default risks for both issuers and counterparties. Unlike individual bonds, most bond funds do not have a maturity date, so avoiding losses caused by price volatility by holding them until maturity is not possible.

Lower-quality debt securities generally offer higher yields, but also involve greater risk of default or price changes due to potential changes in the credit quality of the issuer. Any fixed income security sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss.

Before investing, consider the funds' investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. Contact Fidelity for a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully.

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