Rocket Rail Stocks

Updated:
02.18.09
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Description:

Few sectors are as vital towards to health of the broader market and economy as the rails. Acting as a real-time gauge of import and export demand, both domestically and internationally, the trading action in the rail stocks severs as an important economic barometer towards the health of the global economy. If per-ton rates and cargo levels per-hopper or railcar are high, it is safe to assume that worldwide demand for various commodities are also running high, thus hinting at a robust global growth picture.
Economic data such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or Gross National Product (GNP) are inertly flawed as they are only available quarterly, are backward looking, are subject to revisions or tweaks down the road, and include governmental data---thus offering little clarity into potential economic growth ahead.
Paying attention to the rail stocks on both an intra-day and longer-term bases offers a good tell on the global economy.