Uncommon Indicator: Cargo Traffic Surging

Los Angeles is of course best known for being home to arguably the most glamorous industry in America--moving pictures. But another, decidedly less glamorous, business has been bustling in the Southland and some experts believe this quickened pace of transactions is solid evidence that the economic climate is improving. We're talking about the cargo industry.

In January, traffic at the nation's most robust ports, in L.A. and Long Beach, ticked up 1.6%, meaning over 1 million containers were...