Equipment ECONOMIC WATCH: Class 8 orders surge as fleets lock in 2021 build slots December 3, 2020 BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – November was the third best month ever for Class 8 truck orders at 52,600 units, according to preliminary data from FTR. It was the strongest month since…
Business Management ECONOMIC WATCH: Shipper conditions worst in two years October 22, 2020 BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – U.S. shippers faced their toughest conditions in two years in August, according to FTR’s latest Shippers Conditions Index (SCI). The index fell into negative territory with a…
Business Management ECONOMIC WATCH: Renewed fleet confidence fueling stronger Class 8 truck demand October 5, 2020 BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Fleet confidence has returned in the form of strengthening Class 8 truck orders, which surged in September to 32,000 units according to preliminary data from FTR. That’s…
Business Management ECONOMIC WATCH: Shippers’ conditions deteriorate as rates swing in carriers’ favor September 24, 2020 BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Shippers’ conditions deteriorated in July, falling into negative territory for the first time since August 2018, FTR reports. The FTR Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) recorded a -0.36…
Business Management ‘Old school’ disruption shakes trucking industry September 11, 2020 BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Society and industry have come to think of disruption as a positive change associated with innovation, but what the trucking industry is experiencing now is “old school”…
Business Management ECONOMIC WATCH: Trucking conditions remained favorable in July September 10, 2020 BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – U.S. trucking conditions remained positive through July, as the economic recovery continued and carriers enjoyed strengthening freight rates. FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index read 2.84 in July, down…
Equipment ECONOMIC WATCH: Class 8 orders continued climb in August September 2, 2020 BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Class 8 truck orders continued to climb in August, according to preliminary data from FTR, totaling 20,500 units. Numbers were up 3% from July and 90% from…
Business Management Predicting the Unpredictable: Attempting to plot out the economic recovery August 14, 2020 BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The sudden, devastating economic collapse caused by the Covid-19 pandemic was so unprecedented, that even seasoned economists admit it’s difficult to predict what the recovery will look…
Business Management ECONOMIC WATCH: Trucking conditions roared back in June August 14, 2020 BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index swung from a record low reading of -28.66 in April, to its strongest reading in a decade in June at 11.35. But the…
Business Management Trucking industry making the slow climb back July 9, 2020 BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – While trucking conditions are improving, it will be some time before they get back to pre-Covid levels. FTR expects U.S. truck loadings to decline 5.7% this year.
Equipment ECONOMIC WATCH: ‘Signs of life’ in trailer market, FTR says June 18, 2020 BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Final net trailer orders for May totaled just 4,300 units, up 1,200% from “dismal” April activity but down 64% year-over-year with elevated cancelations, FTR reported. All segments…
Business Management ECONOMIC WATCH: Shippers saw best conditions ever in March May 29, 2020 BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – U.S. shippers enjoyed favorable market conditions in March, with an FTR Shippers Conditions Index reading of 19.7 – more than double February’s reading. (Chart: FTR) That reflected…
Business Management ECONOMIC WATCH: Trucking conditions nosedived in March May 21, 2020 BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Trucking conditions deteriorated in March, marking the start of negative Trucking Conditions Index readings that will likely lead into the worst quarter on record, FTR reports. (Chart:…
Business Management ECONOMIC WATCH: Trucking has likely bottomed, but recovery will be slow May 14, 2020 BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Trucking conditions likely bottomed in mid-April, but a speedy recovery isn’t anticipated. That was the takeaway from a Mid-Year Economic Outlook webinar held today by industry forecaster…
Business Management ECONOMIC WATCH: Trucking conditions expected to turn negative until 2021 April 17, 2020 BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Trucking conditions were positive in February, but that’s likely the last time FTR will be able to say that until 2021. Sharp declines in freight volumes, utilization…
