Markets

Trucking employment has grown a healthy 32% since 2012, but very small and small fleets are absorbing the new drivers, leaving large carriers struggling to seat their trucks.

Many fortunes have been made doing exactly the opposite. 

Volatility returns to commodity markets, with oil, aluminum, and nickel posting huge price increases. How long will these price shocks last, and how will they affect the economy?

Responses from the Federal Reserve's Beige Book on regional economic conditions show that recent tariffs and capacity issues in freight are starting to pressure businesses.

China-U.S. ocean freight rates have been falling continuously for the record 32nd week, in the wake of the Chinese New Year and a continous surge in capacity. 

Positive news from both manufacturing and construction sectors, as gain in each help drive up freight demand in the economy

Daseke has purchased Aveda Transportation and Energy Services, one of North America's largest oil rig movers. This acquisition increases Daseke's exposure to the oil and gas industries, which have a bullish outlook for 2018 and beyond.

Retail sales rebounded in March after declining in each of the previous three months. This rebound is a return to normal for the retail sector after some volatility in spending following the hurricane season.

Job growth has improved since the start of the year in the trucking industry. While this is strong step in address the driver shortage, the industry will soon find itself having to compete long-term with other industries desperately searching for skilled labor.

Flatbed freight remains red-hot with 111 loads for every truck, but what is causing the surge in demand?

We explain how the yield curve works, how it affects the cost of debt, and what that means for trucking.

Data from the Producers Price Index showed that prices for trucking services remain high, and a spillover in demand may be causing a surge in intermodal rates.

Stifel returns to trucking with an array of notes on individual carriers and a comprehensive industry update. Analysts expect 12% increase in truckload rates y/y, spillover into LTL and intermodal, and no relief in sight for the driver shortage.

Job growth fell well short of expectations in March, but trucking hires continued to accelerate as the industry tries to address the current capacity crunch.

Turndowns inbound and outbound of Charleston are gradually rising in tandem, indicating a healthy market. Spot rate movements will depend on where capacity is positioned once port traffic ramps up.

After strong fourth-quarter earnings results, weather and other external forces are expected to weigh on earnings reports in the first quarter, resulting in a mixed bag for public companies.

Trade war fears have caused increased volatility in stock markets over the past month. However, worries over a deep recession caused by protectionism appear overblown for now. The challenge for transportation companies will be less about a collapse in activity and more about adjusting to the new reality.

Once the Mason Mega Rail terminal is complete, the Port of Savannah will have a state-of-the-art facility, unique to the U.S. East Coast.

Truck sales, indices, stock price projections: all are looking bullish

Soybean exports to China have been levied 25% additional tariffs as China hits back with tariffs on U.S. exports worth $50 billion annually.

The number is 175,000 out several years, against a base of a half-million.

Construction spending in the economy remains essentially unchanged since the start of the year, as the sector continues to disappoint after a solid 4th quarter. This has implications for flatbed carriers and dry vans, as weakness in construction and home building affects freight demand.

China has increased tariffs by up to 25% on 128 U.S. products, in retaliation for the tariffs added by the U.S. last week. The Chinese tariffs target farm products, with the severely hit being pork exporters. 

BNSF hauls more coal than any other railroad, but the future of American coal production and consumption is an open question. Is BNSF heavily exposed to downside risk or will it be the last coal carrier standing?

Data from the ISM index showed that manufacturing activity pulled back slightly in March, and responses from the survey highlight the impact that trucking shortages and tariffs are having on performance.

Wages continue to rise for America’s truckers as the trucking industry contends with driver shortages coupled with an increased demand for shipping services.

A monthly synopsis of events and results in the macroeconomy from the past month and a discussion of implications for freight markets going forward. Results released in March were generally more favorable than the previous month and suggests that freight demand should remain strong going forward.

DHL's new Global Trade Barometer showed improvement in March, indicating that global trade volumes are likely to gain momentum in the near future

The number of oil rigs and the demand for flatbed trucking are rising in tandem, as WTI prices go up and the Brent-WTI spread widens.

Profit Tools has developed an Optimization Platform which uses artificial intelligence (AI) and intermodal data points to deliver breakthrough performance and visibility.