Chart of the Week

Chart of the Week:  Outbound Tender Volume Index – USA  SONAR: OTVI.USA  People have been clearing store shelves in parts of the country as if they were preparing for a zombie apocalypse this past week. This mass purchasing—or threat thereof—has spiked trucking volumes in the U.S. as the national Outbound Tender Volume Index (OTVI) increased […]

Container shipping rates from China to the U.S. west coast and international intermodal volume out of the L.A. port complex are both at or below last year’s seasonally-weak Chinese New Year Period. Extended factory shutdowns to prevent the spread of the coronavirus may inhibit a March or April rebound.

Not only were volumes lower in 2019, but they traveled less miles, which compounded the impact of oversupply. Volumes have not recovered, but something else has changed that may help carriers this year.

Transport earnings were rough but may have bottomed.

Diesel costs were supposed to make 2020 more difficult for struggling carriers, but wholesale fuel prices have fallen rapidly, which should help carriers in the slow season.

The coronavirus is having a far-reaching impact across the globe. The timing may make things worse for domestic trucking.

Reefer volumes have broken out this winter as dry van demand fades. Does this mean the sector is in for a strong recovery in 2020?

New fleet growth is slowing while used truck prices collapse. Is this the first sign of contracting trucking capacity?

California’s AB5 has caused significant disruption prior to the planned enforcement period. Has there been a measurable impact to the supply of carriers in the state?

Insurance premiums are a growing concern in the trucking industry, even as statistics show reduced incidents. What is driving the soaring insurance costs?

Lead times fell throughout 2019 as shippers became accustomed to excessive capacity.

The truckload sector has had a breakout December thanks to a booming holiday peak. Is this a signal of a long-term shift to the over-supplied freight market?

Chart of the Week: 3-Year-Old Used Truck Prices – USA, Cass Freight Shipments Index – USA SONAR: UT3.USA, CFIS.USA At this point the news and story of Celadon, the largest truckload failure in history has been covered extensively in the media. The 3,000+ trucking company was by far the largest to shut down in what has been […]

The rise of e-commerce has increased the amount of low mileage freight, but that comes at an unexpected cost to shippers.

West Coast freight volumes have been robust in 2019, but empty rail containers signal that the balance is shifting east heading into 2020.

The housing and construction sectors are showing signs of life, giving truckers a rare hint of optimism for the coming months.

Reefer demand jumps in contrast to the general freight market, despite much colder temps across the U.S.

Freight volumes fell off a cliff at the end of October. Is this yet another reason for concern that the market may slow even further?

The rails managed to increase rates while trucking rates continued to compress in October.

Reefer volumes have declined in 2019 as shippers have taken advantage of cheap van rates, but declining production and trade wars have hurt the cause as well.