When ABI issued results yesterday, some were surprised that their U.S. STRs were down a big 3.4%, although shipments were only down 1.4%. UBS takes this as a sign that volumes are improving. " Following more than 18 months of 2-3% run rate volume decline in the US, this is at the very least encouraging. The company highlighted that gas prices have moderated in recent weeks, and that the industry has benefited from positive volume growth during the July holiday.