Topic: Rates and Pricing

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.

The firm said that based on its estimates it expects that 2.3 million packages will be delivered over this year’s peak, representing a 5% annual gain, attributing the expected increase to one more shopping day than there was in 2024.

The report’s benchmark reading, the PMI, at 49.1 (a reading of 50 or higher indicates growth), was up 0.4% compared to August, contracting, at a slower rate, for the seventh consecutive month, with the overall economy growing, at a faster rate, for the 65th consecutive month.

Amazon Shipping will add peak season surcharges from Oct. 26 through Jan. 17, 2026, the company recently announced.

The 15th Annual Rail/Intermodal Roundtable examines the current state of the U.S. rail and intermodal markets, highlighting modest carload growth, improving service levels, and the ongoing impact of tariffs, truck competition, and emerging technology. Experts also weigh in on the potential Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, forecasting that regulatory review and broader economic conditions will shape service, pricing, and growth opportunities over the next several years.

The national average price per gallon, for the week of September 29, at $3.754, rose $0.005, following a $0.01-cent increase, to $3.749, for the week of September 22, which was preceded by a 2.7-cent decline, to $3.739, for the week of September 15.

For July, the most recent month for which data is available, the TCI reading came in at -1.03, faring better than June’s -1.83 reading, the lowest in 2025, with the firm noting that the TCI improved despite all freight-related factors coming in lower than in June.

White House imposes steep tariffs on trucks, furniture, and pharmaceuticals as legal challenge to trade powers looms

With a $0.01-cent increase, the national average came in at $3.749, which was preceded by a 2.7-cent decline, to $3.739, for the week of September 15.

The prospects of the proposed Class I rail carrier merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern appear to be closer to coming to fruition are picking up steam.

The legislation was introduced by Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and co-sponsored by Mike Ezell (R-MS), John Garamendi (D-CA), and Salud O. Carbajal (D-CA).

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.

Los Angeles-based alternative parcel delivery platform services provider Veho said this month that it has taken steps to expand its Southern California presence.

Quarterly revenue, at $22.2 billion, increased 3% annually, its highest annual growth rate since the pandemic, and operating income, at $1.30 billion, was up 7%. Earnings per share, at $3.83, beat Wall Street expectations, at $3.61.

The August shipments reading, at 1.017, fell 9.3% annually and was down 1.5% compared to July. And the August expenditures reading, at 3.135, fell 0.4% annually and were down 2.8%, from July to August.

Following comments made by Chairman Jay Powell in late August, suggesting that the Federal Reserve was possibly open to reducing the target rate for its federal funds rate, the Federal Reserve today decided to lower the rate, which comes from its Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), to 4.0%-to-4.25%.

Falling 2.7 cents, the national average, for the week of September 15, came in at $3.739, following a 3.2-cent increase, to $3.7666, for the week of September 8, and a 2.6-cent increase, to $3.734, for the week of September 1.

The company stated that FedEx package standard list rates for U.S., U.S. export, and U.S. import services will increase by an average of 5.9%. And it said that rates for FedEx Ground Economy, FedEx Ground Multiweight, FedEx International Premium, and FedEx International Priority Direct Distribution will also head up.

Since hitting its 2025 high during the week ending July 21, the national average price of diesel nationwide is down 10 cents to around $3.76 a gallon according to the latest update from the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

The plan also covers steel, textiles, and around 1,400 other products from countries without trade agreements.