Factory Backlogs Hit $1.6 Trillion as Freight and Steel Costs Climb
Unfilled orders rose 0.6% in August while shipments stalled. ISM's prices index jumped 6.8 points to 77.9, the largest move in the report, driven by freight,…
Markets & Rates
Spot and contract freight rates, fuel prices, capacity, lane trends, and freight demand.
U.S.-Mexico Trade Hits $94.3B in August, Up 27% Year Over Year
Two-way commerce jumped to $94.3 billion in August as imports from Mexico surged 34%. Laredo handled $38.6 billion, up 29%, cementing its role as the busiest…
Used Class 8 sales drop in August as inventory tightens
Sales slowed against seasonal norms. Fewer trucks on dealer lots means buyers face longer searches and higher prices.
Spot Rates Up 10% While Accepted Tenders Fall 3% in Rare Disconnect
Dry van spot rates climbed to $3.53/mile even as contracted freight volume dropped below its 12-month average. Diesel costs and tight capacity explain the…
Contract Rates Open 22-Cent Gap Over Spot in August
Spot linehaul fell to $2.17/mile while contract climbed to $2.39. Fuel surcharges rose 13% month-over-month, offsetting part of the spot decline.
Freight Volume Up 1.5% But Tied to One Boom That Could Stall in 2027
Data center construction is the only thing lifting tonnage. Food and beverage freight is down 3-4%, housing is stuck, and two more Fed hikes could erase last…
Flatbed Spot Rates Jump 5 Cents in Biggest Weekly Gain Since 2008
Flatbed linehaul rates rose over 5 cents last week while dry van and reefer rates fell, marking the strongest flatbed move in 18 years as loads climbed 30%.
ATA Tonnage Falls 0.5% in August as Capacity Tightens
The for-hire truck tonnage index dropped to 112.7 in August, down 1.6% year over year, even as rejection rates and spot rates signal tighter capacity.
Dry Van and Reefer Spot Rates Rise, Flatbed Falls 6 Cents
FTR reports dry van spot rates up 6 cents last week, reefer up 3 cents, flatbed down 6 cents. DAT shows lower national linehaul averages across all three…
Diesel Hits $6.26/Gallon as Freight Posts First Growth in 42 Months
Spot rates lag fuel surge by 15 cents per mile. Cass Index turns positive for the first time since 2022. Tender rejections at 14% signal tight capacity into…
Spot Rates Rise Across All Three Equipment Types for First Time Since May
Dry van spot jumped 9 cents, reefer 13 cents, flatbed 3 cents in the week ending September 11. Year-over-year gains top 39% across the board.
Tender Rejections Jump Above 14% as Labor Day Tightens Freight
Rejection rates rise faster than the past three years during the same holiday window. Van spot rates swing wildly, flatbed cools, and reefer holds steady.