Truckload rates continue steady growth in September

Truckload pricing grew 3.2 percent for the month compared to September 2014, the seventh consecutive monthly increase, according the latest Cass Truckload Linehaul Index.    Truckload rates increased 3.2 percent in September 2015 compared to September 2014 following a year-over-year increase of 3.7 percent in August, according to the latest Cass Truckload Linehaul Index.
   Transportation intelligence analyst Cass Information Systems Inc. has previously attributed the continued the steady growth in rates, which have now increased in each of the last seven months, to higher contract rates, which have been steadily integrated into the index over the course of the year.
   Year-over-year truckload rates grew 3.6 percent in July and June, 3.5 percent in May, 3.8 percent in April, and 5.1 percent in March.
   Investment firm Avondale Partners said it expects continued increases of between 3.5 percent and 5.5 percent for the remainder of 2015. Avondale has “softened their earlier bullish stance on pricing given several factors that have contributed to an increase in overall capacity,” said Cass.