truckload carriers

First-quarter earnings estimates for truckload carriers have been reeled in again as the industry awaits a meaningful turn in the cycle.

A prolonged period of elevated expenses has some fleets harnessing the power of the sun to mitigate the impact.

Cass freight data for January shows continued weakness, but the month included harsher-than-normal winter weather.

Equities analysts have trimmed fourth-quarter truckload estimates again after the industry limped through the final days of the year.

Werner Enterprises said Wednesday that Nathan Meisgeier, its chief legal officer, has also assumed the role of president of the company.

Morgan Stanley told investors on Monday that a rebound in freight demand may happen sooner than many are expecting as inventories need to be rebuilt.

Jagger Canada Inc. is being fined $37,500 by the province of Ontario for failing to comply and clean up a fuel spill in 2019.

Werner Enterprises’ CEO said Tuesday that the worst of the cycle is in the rearview and that he will remember which shippers stood by the company during the recent freight recession.

Mark Manera talks driver fitness at FreightWaves’ Enterprise Fleet Summit.

The Logistics Managers’ Index registered another all-time low in June as inventories throughout the supply chain continued to contract.

Trappers Transport announced Wednesday it has acquired Plett Trucking in a deal that combines two Winnipeg, Canada-based temperature-controlled transportation and logistics providers.

Alterna Equity Partners announced Wednesday the acquisition of waste and industrial materials carriers Attaway Hauling and Choice Bulk Carriers.

Transportation and logistics conglomerate R&R Express announced its second deal of the year on Monday.

Morgan Stanley said trucking fundamentals could be “bottoming” in a Monday note to clients while Susquehanna called it quits on several stocks.

Resonea Inc. and CPAPSupplies will integrate sleep apnea screening and testing services for commercial truck drivers.

Cass said Monday that positive trends in freight shipments and expenditures are likely to turn negative year over year in December.

Trucking executives are hopeful the first half of 2023 brings a cycle recovery.

Werner Enterprises announced its third acquisition since last summer on Monday, adding Baylor Trucking to its one-way operation at an undisclosed price.

Western U.S. truckload carrier Super T Transport announced it has been sold to Austrian transportation and logistics provider Berger Logistik.

Management teams from a couple of the nation’s largest fleets share their thoughts on peak season and rates during an investor conference.

As the freight cycle shifts to a lower gear, deal flow throughout the industry remains hot.

Colonial Freight Systems confirms it will shutdown operations at the end of the month.

Truckload carrier Heartland Express will take on another difficult turnaround in CFI, which it acquired from TFI International for $525 million.

Heartland Express announced Monday the acquisition of CFI’s non-dedicated dry van and temperature-controlled fleet in the U.S. and its logistics operation in Mexico.

P.A.M. Transportation Services reported better-than-expected second-quarter results Thursday.

Schneider National beat second-quarter expectations even with a precipitous drop in gains on sale.

Commentary from the C-suites of trucking remains positive for the 2022 back half.

Freight payments data from U.S. Bank showed sequential increases in volumes and costs during the second quarter.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services beat second-quarter expectations despite persistent rail congestion and supply chain bottlenecks.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services’ second quarter came in ahead of forecasts.

KLLM Transport Services, one of the nation’s largest temperature-controlled carriers, on Thursday announced its acquisition of Quest Global.

FreightWaves presents the Small Fleet & Owner-Operator Summit on Wednesday, June 15.

The Small Fleet & Owner-Operator Summit takes place on June 15, 2022.

FreightWaves founder and CEO Craig Fuller analyzes truckload contract rates and where they may be headed.

FreightWaves founder and CEO Craig Fuller analyzes the continuing decrease in truckload rates for dry van loads.

Truckload carrier Heartland Express beat first-quarter expectations Thursday.

On its first-quarter call with analysts, management from J.B. Hunt said demand indications from customers have been strong. The path is likely not as easy for smaller players in the space.

A new complaint filed by NLRB could serve as a focal point in a revision of independent contractor rules.

With record inventories building and bottlenecks easing is deflation next?

FreightWaves Founder and CEO Craig Fuller analyzes the current costs of trucking.

FreightWaves Founder and CEO Craig Fuller provides further analysis regarding the decline in the freight market.

Craig Fuller analyzes the state of the U.S. truckload market.

Financial technology platform Outgo emerges from stealth with a vertical banking solution that automates bookkeeping functions for carriers.

Higher diesel prices also mean higher costs for empty miles.

As the federal government begins prioritizing EV infrastructure, trucking fleets and stakeholders need to stay abreast of changes at the intersection of industry and climate initiatives.

Truckload carriers continue to pay up for drivers. Dry van carrier Cargo Transporters announced another increase to its pay package.

U.S. Xpress expects freight demand to stay strong in the first half of 2022. The trajectory from there could hinge on inflation.

USA Truck beats fourth-quarter expectations and plans to grow revenue through expanding capacity east of Interstate 35 and doubling logistics business.

USA Truck Inc. rode a robust freight and pricing market to revenue of $200.9 million and earnings per share of $1.38 during the fourth quarter.

Nearly a year and a half into a tight truck market and carriers continue to raise driver wages. Midwest Carriers and CFI are the latest to announce increases.

Truckload carriers have been raising pay for 18 months now to meet heightened demand. But when this trucking cycle cools, don’t expect wages to follow in lockstep.

Covenant Logistics Group said revenue for the second half of 2022 could be impacted by wage pressures and higher equipment and over-the-road repair costs.

The Chattanooga, Tennessee-based truckload carrier said the outlook is for continued operational progress during 2022.

Heartland Express announced 2021 was its best year since going public. Fourth-quarter results were in line with consensus.

KLLM Transport Services is the latest carrier to announce a historic pay increase for drivers.

For years, the industry has asked for the ability to expand its driver workforce. FMCSA’s apprenticeship program is that opportunity, and now is time to jump on this opportunity.

J.B. Hunt Transport announced that eligible drivers and maintenance techs received nearly $10 million in appreciation bonuses on Friday.

AskWaves looks at some of the catalysts that have heated up M&A in the transportation space.

ATRI research on truck driver motivations and satisfaction The American Transportation Research Institute released results on its analysis on what motivates truck drivers to become company drivers or owner-operators/independent contractors […]

Retail inventories jump ahead of the holiday buying season but the need for restocking will extend well into 2022, which bodes well for freight demand.

Truckload carrier U.S. Xpress expects a hot freight market to carry through the end of the year but cautions consumer headwinds are mounting.

A rule requiring vaccines for employees, or weekly testing for workers declining vaccination, at companies with staff of 100 or more gets emergency stay.

AskWaves takes a look at which rate-per-mile metrics to use out of the information public carriers disclose quarterly.

Carrier Perspective: State of the Industry

Arkansas-based carrier’s trucking segment posted revenue of $113M and brokerage division posted revenue of $81M in Q3.

How to Hire the Best Drivers

Management from Schneider National told analysts on its third-quarter earnings call that current truckload fundamentals should carry through the end of 2021 and well into next year.

North Carolina-based carrier’s third pay raise in a year comes amid unprecedented freight volumes and demand for drivers.

Covenant Logistics Group’s managed freight segment revenue grew 89% year-over-year during the third quarter, to $90 million.

Carriers have overcome notable cost inflation and disruption to post better-than-expected results so far in the third-quarter earnings season.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services sidesteps disruption throughout the transportation network to beat analysts’ forecasts.

P.A.M. Transportation Services sees earnings surge during the third quarter even as supply chain disruption accelerates.

Heartland Express beats expectations in the third quarter with the help from gains on sale.

Tri-State Expedited announced it has been acquired by its senior management team.

From time to time, truck drivers require additional training. Whether it is refresher training or due to a recent incident, success depends on having the right approach.

Driver pay increases continue to roll in as a strong macroeconomic environment shows little signs of slowing.

Learn how technology and automation can help maximize profits and strengthen your partner relationships at MyBlueGrace.com

More trucking heads weigh in on rate expectations for 2022. Following a sizable rate bump this year, it appears that rates could move considerably higher again next year.

Understanding the differences among truckloads

Rate predictions for the truckload market are coming in earlier than in past years. High consumer demand along with a lack of drivers and equipment has industry participants calling for further increases.

Dedicated carrier Cowan Systems is offering sign-on bonuses as high as $20,000 for newly hired drivers.

Truckload carrier Heartland Express announced a 50-cent-per-share special dividend Friday. It was the second carrier to announce a special dividend this week.

Marten Transport announced a special dividend of 50 cents per share. The payment marks the third straight year of special dividends for the carrier.

AskWaves takes a look at gains on the sale of revenue equipment and how they play into the financial results of truckload carriers.

As freight markets enter the second year of peaklike conditions, FreightWaves caught up with Amit Mehrotra, Deutsche Bank’s transportation analyst, to talk about how this freight cycle will play out.

The need for truck capacity remains at historic highs, and more fleets have responded by increasing driver pay for the second time this year.

A third-quarter outlook from truckload carrier U.S. Xpress sees volume and rate strength lasting throughout 2021. However, driver and supply chain labor challenges present risks.

USA Truck reported second-quarter net income of $4.2 million, after reporting a loss of $900,000 in the same period a year ago.

The Omaha, Nebraska-based transportation and logistics provider reported second-quarter adjusted earnings of 86 cents per share.

“Our logistics segment has been thriving and growing, including contract logistics and port services, with the largest contributor being brokerage,” says Schneider CEO.

“Truckload detention is the last dark corner of the trucking industry, so we built a big flashlight.” That flashlight will shine bright on Thursday when TCA hosts a virtual workshop addressing the issue.

Knight-Swift Transportation beat second-quarter estimates and raised its full-year guidance to include the favorable operating environment in addition to accretion from recent acquisitions. However, the improved outlook includes the expectation for continued cost headwinds around labor.

Midwest Carriers announced the acquisition of alcohol transporter Osborn & Son Trucking for an undisclosed amount.

Hirschbach Motor Lines announced that it has acquired Lessors Inc. The deal marks the second combination of two temperature-controlled carriers in the last week.

U.S. Xpress sees brokerage platform Xpress Technologies as a big part of the company’s digital overhaul.

Truckload carrier Western Express will install Platform Science’s full suite of technologies, including the Remote Platform Management system, across its fleet of 3,000 trucks.

Carriers are hoping to attract drivers with more pay and improved benefits.

There was a fair amount of “feel-good” talk regarding inventory build during the fiscal first-quarter retail earnings season. But for several chains, the year-over-year comparisons were easy. Further, sales have continued at an elevated clip, suggesting the massive merchandise restocking is far from over.

The servitization of the trucking industry means there is a need for carriers to have better transparency of their available equipment in order to add new revenue streams.

Commentary from trucking executives at an investor conference suggests the capacity crunch may last well into next year.