The transportation sector is an indicator of our economic health. This means that as the United States and others rebuilt, this sector’s exchange traded funds (ETFs) could have a nice boost in store.
Industries that make up the transportation sector include airlines, railways, package carriers, even oil and gas pipelines. Transportation is actually the most important sector we have, says David Fessler for Investment U. Why? Growth or contraction here serves as a proxy for both U.S. and global economic growth. (Why transportation is an “it” sector for the recovery). Transportation accounts for 3% of national GDP.
Warren Buffett seems to agree: the rail sector is one on which he’s bullish. (How to play what Buffett is buying).
The industry is highly correlated to consumers: as they buy more, there’s a need to transport more.
Changes are taking place, though:
- Intermodal shipping, which combines highways and rails, has become popular because it reduces fuel costs. Intermodal volumes have been flat, to slightly up, since June.
- Domestic container volumes are up slightly, by 1.3% in the third quarter. (Has the transportation sector hit bottom?)
For more storeis about transportation, visit our transportation category.
- iShares Dow Jones Transportation Sector (NYSEArca: IYT): up 16.7% year-to-date
- Claymore/NYSEArca Airline (NYSEArca: FAA): up 21% in the last three months
- Claymore Delta Global Shipping (NYSEArca: SEA): up 32% year-to-date
- PowerShares Global Progressive Transport (NASDAQ: PTRP): up 48.9% year-to-date