Freight Rates

For August, the most recent month for which data is available, the SCI came in at 1.3, following a -2.0 reading in July.

For July, the most recent month for which data is available, the SCI came in at -2.0, an improvement over June’s -2.6 reading.

DAT said that the number of available loads on the spot market headed up over the last week of August, due to the pairing of a national brake-inspection campaign and the lead-up to Labor Day weekend tightening capacity. It also noted that August freight volumes were softer than usual, especially for van loads, coupled with the Van TVI turning in its lowest reading for the month of August since 2021.

For May, the most recent month for which data is available, the SCI came in at -0.9, slightly below April’s -0.6 reading.

For April, the most recent month for which data is available, the TCI fell to -0.81, following a 0.28 March reading. This followed a -0.21 February reading, which marked an improvement over January’s -2.56 reading, and nearly erased all of the growth seen in December, which posted a 2.67 reading. Which was preceded by November’s 3.02, its highest reading going back to April 2022.

The April shipments reading, at 1.058, fell 3.6% annually and was up 0.4% compared to March. April expenditures, at 3.267, were up 3.3% compared to March and rose 1.2% annually.

FTR explained that tighter capacity and slightly stronger freight volume more than offset lower fuel costs and weaker freight rates.

On the revenue side, the report found that 71% of respondents forecasted positive revenue growth, down 3% from the second quarter, and up 6% compared to the first quarter. And it added that 16% of respondents are neutral, up from 12% in the second quarter, with 14% negative, matching the second quarter.

For February, the most recent month for which data is available, the TCI reading headed up to -0.21, marking an improvement over January’s -2.56 reading.

For January, the most recent month for which data is available, the SCI came in at 0.6, up from a -1.8 December reading and November’s 2.3 reading.

For December, the most recent month for which data is available, the TCI reading came in at 2.67, down from November’s 3.02, its highest reading going back to April 2022.

For November, the most recent month for which data is available, the SCO came in at 2.3, topping October’s 1.3 reading, which fell from September’s 4.6 reading. The August SCI was 2.9, with July at 0.5; June at 0.3; May at 4.5, and June at 3.0—which was preceded by several months of declines.

The disruptions have forced shipping companies to reroute vessels, increasing costs and delays.

Spot market trucking activity demand and rates saw gains over the month of December, in advance of the holidays, according to the new edition of the DAT Truckload Volume Index, which issued today by DAT Freight and Analytics.

We’ve assembled our annual panel of logistics and freight transportation analysts to share their insights on rate patterns in all the major transport modes in an effort to help shippers prepare their freight transportation budget for the coming year.