Big bump at port

February container traffic jumped almost 30 percent at the Port of Long Beach, with inbound cargo increasing 39.3 percent from a year earlier and outbound up about 33 percent. Keep in mind that a year earlier the ports were practically ghost towns, so these percentages were bound to look good. Also keep in mind that this is the slow season for port activity (things don't pick up until May or June). Still, the import figure is an especially good sign because it suggests that retailers are becoming a bit more encouraged about consumer spending. The Port of Los Angeles has not yet come out with its February numbers.