Business Management Shippers see relief from lower rates, fuel costs January 24, 2023 A more favorable freight environment for shippers and lower fuel costs bumped the FTR Shippers Conditions Index into positive territory in November. The index moved from -0.3 to 3 in…
Equipment Trailer market ends 2022 with record orders January 23, 2023 Trailer orders soared to a new monthly record at 56,949 units in December, according to the latest data from industry forecaster FTR. The previous record was set in October 2020,…
Transportation November trucking conditions ‘less negative’ than October January 16, 2023 U.S. trucking conditions appeared to improve between October and November despite weakening freight rates, analysts at FTR report. But the October readings in FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index were the weakest…
Business Management Trucking in ‘slow growth’ environment, not recession: FTR January 12, 2023 The U.S. general economy and GDP Goods Transport numbers point to a “weak, status quo environment” that’s not great for truckers. Just don’t call it a recession. FTR held a…
Human Resources FTR appoints new CEO, COO January 12, 2023 Economic and freight forecasting firm FTR announced that Jonathan Starks has been appointed CEO, replacing Eric Starks who will be transitioning to chairman of the board. FTR also announced Jami Sargent…
Business Management Shipper conditions improving as capacity utilization falls December 22, 2022 Trucking capacity utilization loosened in October to levels not seen since May 2020, improving conditions for shippers. The FTR Shippers Conditions Index improved in October to a barely negative -0.3…
Equipment Class 8 orders plummet, but market remains ‘strong’: FTR December 5, 2022 Class 8 truck orders plummeted to 34,300 units in November, according to preliminary data from industry forecaster FTR, well off the 56,000 ordered in September. However, while orders have slid…
Business Management Slow freight growth to continue in 2023 November 22, 2022 Shipper conditions declined in September to a reading of -3.1 on the FTR Shippers Conditions Index, down from a positive reading of 5.0 in August. But industry analyst FTR feels…
Equipment Pent-up demand for new trucks remains strong November 3, 2022 Class 8 truck orders remained elevated in October, at 43,200 units according to preliminary data from FTR. That was down 23% from September but up 77% year over year. Industry…
Business Management Trucking conditions steady, but small carriers at greater risk: FTR October 26, 2022 Trucking conditions held steady in August with FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index remaining in slight negative territory at -0.25, up slightly from -0.7 in July. Falling diesel prices contributed to the…
Business Management September a “sensational” record month for Class 8 orders October 5, 2022 Truck orders surged to record levels in September, according to preliminary data from industry forecasters. FTR reported a record 56,500 Class 8 orders while ACT Research reported 53,700. FTR says…
Business Management Trucking conditions in for long period of “moderate weakness”: FTR September 23, 2022 U.S. shipper conditions improved in July, but so too did trucking conditions, with both boosted by sharply falling diesel prices. Industry forecaster FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index…
Business Management Shippers see improving conditions thanks to lower diesel costs September 22, 2022 Shippers felt some relief in July with conditions as measured by the FTR Shippers Conditions Index entering positive territory at 4.5 for the first time since September 2020. In June,…
Business Management Carriers try to make sense of unusual economic conditions September 15, 2022 If you feel the economic ground shifting beneath your feet, you’re not alone. Eric Starks, CEO of industry forecaster FTR, said it’s like looking away from a football game in…
Equipment What’s going on with the trailer market? September 13, 2022 These are the best of times for trailer manufacturers. They’re also the most difficult of times. Demand has never been greater, but an inability to meet that demand has strained…