Economic trends: Page 24

Economic trends

Masks are back and more freight could be coming

Citing concern with COVID breakthrough cases, the CDC recommended indoor mask-wearing Tuesday regardless of vaccination status. Trucking experts say volumes should remain 'strong' amid surging cases and may even grow stronger.

July 28, 2021

Growing concern over COVID breakthrough cases led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to recommend indoor mask-wearing today regardless of vaccination status. Trucking experts advise that freight volumes should remain strong and may even grow stronger amid a COVID resurgence.

Outlook and Benchmarking

Surge in COVID prompts Walmart to close stores for deep-cleaning

With COVID cases rising, Walmart is shutting down some stores for deep-cleaning. This is not necessarily an indicator of pending "major economic damage" according to ACT Research.

July 26, 2021

The halt to in-person spending at some Walmarts during COVID cleansing is lasting for roughly a day-and-a-half. 'Any retrenchment away from experiential spending would be likely to extend that on-going strong trend of consumer spending on goods,' said ACT Research President and Senior Analyst Kenny Vieth.

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March 1, 2026

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ACT's For-Hire Trucking Index dipped in June despite strong freight volumes, rates

The latest release of ACT’s For-Hire Trucking Index, with June data, showed a slowing in volumes, pricing moderating at a high level, and a still-strong supply-demand balance. Also: FMCSA tightening CDL reporting requirements for states; more.

July 26, 2021

Freight rates dropped in June for the first time in several months, but levels remain high.

Economic trends

Truck Tonnage Index falls for second consecutive month, spot rates sliding

For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index decreased 1.5% in June after falling 1% in May.

July 20, 2021

trucks waiting at dock

Chip shortage, ecommerce driving leasing interest

Tight new truck inventories are driving more leasing business, but equipment could dry up fast amid "unprecedented demand."

July 20, 2021

penske truck driving on bridge

Economic trends

June trailer orders subdued ahead of what could be 'record' 2022

Most OEMs are not taking additional orders for 2021 delivery.

July 15, 2021

semi trailers at dock

Economic trends

Trucking's 'driver shortage' claims miss a key point

Trucking leaders have consistently identified a driver shortage as the number one problem plaguing the industry, but a recent panel discussion of efforts might just turn that on its head.

July 14, 2021

Spot rates close out June on high note

Spot truckload freight volumes increased 4.5% last week while capacity tightened, as the total number of trucks posted to the DAT network declined 4.7% compared to the previous week, according to DAT Freight & Analytics.

July 5, 2021

DAT spot rates charts

Report: Pandemic's impact on the supply chain, freight market

The hottest story in business news right now is the global supply chain's whipsawing volatility. A new report reveals what fleet owners need to know about the unprecedented changes.

June 30, 2021

truck, train, and plane modes of delivery

Spot volume holds steady, rates mostly up

A group of more than 60 trucking groups penned a letter to the House asking for an amendment to remove a liability insurance hike for motor carriers from the highway bill. Also: Spot rates steady and Transition Trucking award nominations sought.

June 29, 2021

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Truck tonnage dipped for second consecutive month while still strong year-over-year

ATA's Truck Tonnage Index fell by 0.7% in May after falling 0.6% in April. Compared with May 2020, the seasonally adjusted index rose 3.7%. Also: Minneapolis looks to ban overnight truck parking; Trucking volumes down while rates remain high, ACT says.

June 23, 2021

ATA's Truck Tonnage Index fell in May but still remains well above the lows of 2020.

Economic trends

Trailer market 'in a strange place right now' as supply chain woes outpace demand

Backlogs for dry vans and reefers are already into next year, and fleets "may be unwilling to extend their commitments."

June 20, 2021

Semi trailer with its doors open

More guilty pleas announced in New Orleans staged-accident fraud scheme

Two more guilty pleas in staged-accident fraud scheme that netted $707,500. Also: ACT Research report on soaring freight rate expansion; FMCSA boss visits transportation leaders in NY/NJ; more.

June 18, 2021

Capital expenditures driving freight demand, analyst says

Higher than normal capital expenditures from manufacturers as the economy continues to recover from the pandemic will continue to drive freight demand for the next few quarters, but expect a shift in the coming months, according to ACT Research.

June 14, 2021

Freight-intensive capital expenditures are expected to continue driving strong freight demand for the next few quarters, according to ACT Research.

FTR: Trucking conditions continued record-setting pace in April

Following a record-setting month in March, FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) for April hit another record-high of 16.82, surpassing March’s record of 16.27. Also: NTTC announces new leadership; comments sought for pulsating lights request.

June 14, 2021

FTR's Trucking Conditions Index continued to improve in April, surpassing the previous record high set in March.

Economic trends

Truck orders slide as OEMs run out of build slots

The drop-off in May does not represent a weakening of demand, as freight growth continues to be robust and spot rates hit all-time highs.

June 3, 2021

Line of semi trucks

Economic trends

Trailer orders slide but demand remains strong

With backlogs extended, the next available production slots for dry vans and reefers are early next year.

June 2, 2021

Reefer trailers at a dock

Economic trends

Supply constraints on 2021’s production potential

ACT Research reports the positive data at the macro level obscures an “uncomfortable truth.”

May 28, 2021

A line of trucks with their hoods open.

Page 24 of 80

Chief Financial Officer Chris Wikoff noted that last year, average truck count in Werner's One-Way division, where ECM operated, was 2,386, a 10% decrease year-over-year.

ECM Transport future in question amid Werner’s One-Way reorg

Werner paid $142.4 million in 2021 for an 80% stake in regional carriers ECM Transport and Motor Carrier Services of Pennsylvania.

Founded in 2012, NHH Services provides specialized transportation and project management services throughout the United States and Canada, with expertise in heavy haul, flatbed, general freight, and complex cargo movements.

Bennett Family of Companies acquires Indiana fleet

FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs speaks at TCA Truckload 2026.

FMCSA boss: 'We're going to bite off more than we can chew'

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Driver churn costs fleets $13K, report shows. Is tech helping or hurting?

Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) on Wednesday introduced the Dalilah Law–legislation that would require states to take specific measures to get illegal alien truck drivers off America’s roads to receive federal Department of Transportation funding.

Trump's Dalilah Law introduced into Senate, DOT funding tied to state compliance

Get all the info on the top 250 trucking companies in America

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