CCJ‘s Indicators rounds up the latest reports on trucking business indicators on rates, freight, equipment, the economy and more.
Flatbed led all segments with a 105 percent year-over-year increase, driven by post-hurricane recovery efforts in Texas and Florida, DAT says. Flatbed freight volume was up 5 percent from September. The gains pushed rates in the segment up 5 cents from September and 41 cents from last October.
Reefer volume grew 68 percent from last October, but dipped 5 percent from September. Rates in the segment climbed to their highest point in almost three years, since December 2014, DAT reports, with linehaul rates (sans fuel surcharges) at their highest since 2010. The trend should continue in November and December, DAT says, with demand for fresh and frozen foods peaking around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Van volume grew 66 percent compared to last October despite a 3 percent decline from September, but dipped 8 percent from September. Rates still climbed 5 cents a mile in the segment from the month prior and 37 cents from the same month last year.
‘Trucking Conditions’ gain steam too: Market conditions for truck fleets, as measured by FTR’s monthly Trucking Conditions Index, moved further into positive territory in September, with a “coming spike” expected, says FTR.
Strong freight demand should keep the index “solidly positive through 2018,” FTR notes in its report. Though economic growth has been slow, albeit steady, since the 2008-2009 recession, trucking growth has outpaced U.S. economic growth, expanding at a 3 percent annual average, says FTR.