To your question on the economy, that is a real interesting problem. UPS will do well, regardless of the economy, as things have to keep moving. In some aspects, they might do even better than most any other of the companies. When you have tight times, you dont stockpile much. You also order in smaller quanities, in case the economy goes really south.
In both of these cases, UPS is positioned to do well.
We have cut the time in transit in many areas. What used to take 4 days now only takes 2. That makes ground a real bargin again for many customers. While we are more expensive than other carriers, we do provide more value for the money overall.
As for local economies not doing well, that could be what you are seeing. Some centers will have to cut back, while others will hire. That is the nature of the beast.
I think over all, while there are some real issues to deal with, I believe that this glitch in the economy will reverse itself.
One thing I have noticed is when one party is in power, and the power is being given to the other party, the economy during that time really sucks. Dont really know why, just that it is.
But a down economy is also a great opertunity for the right businesses in the right field. A great many fortunes are made when it seems every one else is in the dumper.
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