Quiet US ports spark slowdown fears as imports fall

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High inventory levels and weak demand are to blame for a fall in imports at the US’s three busiest ports, say industry analysts. LA, Long Beach and New York saw imports fall 10% between August and October – a season traditionally associated with a surge in volumes. This WSJ article examines whether this is a “short-term hiccup, or the “start of a sustained period of weakness”. However, FedEx and Amazon are predicting a record holiday season.