Does U.S. Railroad Recession Point To Economic Slump?

IBD reports:

With Union Pacific, Canadian Pacific Railway and CSX reporting downbeat quarterly earnings recently, company executives and analysts say the rail sector is clearly in recession — and the industry may signal contraction in the broader economy as well.

On Thursday, top U.S. railroad operator Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) said freight revenue for coal plunged 31% in Q4, and industrial products slid 23%. Chemical freight revenue fell 7%, and agricultural products dropped 12%. Automotive revenue rose 1%.

Intermodal — containers used by trains, trucks and ships that carry consumer goods, such as electronics — declined 14%, indicating weakness beyond the battered energy sector.

No word yet from Barack Obama , on this story , who says everything is much better. The "R" word should concern Hillary about wanting to sell an Obama third term.