Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the transportation industry but discusses various scenarios impacting trade volumes and earnings for 2025, indicating a cautious outlook [2][3]. Core Insights - The report introduces a US Tariff Impact Tracker to assess the ongoing effects of tariffs on global supply chains and freight flow, with a focus on high-frequency data [1]. - It outlines two primary scenarios for 2025: continued pull forward of shipments ahead of a 90-day tariff pause and a potential pause in customer orders due to uncertainty [2]. - The report suggests that trade flows from non-China Asia may remain stable as shippers adjust supply chains, while shipments from China to the US are expected to decline significantly [3]. - UPS anticipates a 25% decrease in China to US business in the second quarter, with overall international revenues projected to decline by only 2% year-over-year [3]. High Frequency Data Summary - Laden container vessels from China to the US have decreased by 23.3% year-over-year on average over the last week, following a previous increase of 22% [6]. - TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) from China to the US have dropped by 26% year-over-year on average over the last week, down from a previous increase of 14% [11]. - Planned TEUs into the Port of Los Angeles decreased by 18% year-over-year, with forecasts indicating a further decline of 35% year-over-year in the following week [21]. Trade Volume Trends - The report notes that intermodal traffic on the West Coast increased by 5% on average in week 17, indicating that front-loaded traffic is still impacting volumes [27]. - The Logistics Managers Index shows upstream inventory expansion slowing down, while downstream inventories are expanding at a faster pace, possibly in anticipation of tariffs [47]. - The report highlights that the balance of trade volumes and earnings for the transportation sector remains uncertain, with potential scenarios ranging from a surge in orders to a continued decline [7].