An economist with the American Trucking Association says the trucking economy remains “sluggish.”

According to ATA figures, the total tonnage of freight moved in the U.S. in September was down more than 2 percent from a year ago.

Meanwhile, the third-quarter earnings reports for the big trucking companies are starting to come in – and most don’t look good.

YRC reported its earnings dropped nearly 60 percent compared to same three-month period last year. Arkansas Best saw its income drop 40 percent in the third quarter, and Saia’s earnings were off 23 percent from a year ago.