FTR
Trucking Conditions Rebound, Best This Year
BLOOMINGTON, IN -- While business conditions in Canada are shaky, the situation in the U.S. for the trucking industry is the best so far this year, according to the freight transportation forecasting firm FTR. Its just released Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) measure for June rose from May, jumping 56% to 7.66, hitting the highest level of 2015. While freight growth slowed during the second quarter of the year, FTR said rates continue to show growth and margins are still good. Also, freight growth is on track for the sixth straight year of annual gains. It expects regulatory conditions and a continued economic recovery to fuel an accelerating index during 2016.
N.A. Decline in Truck Orders Not Surprising
COLUMBUS and BLOOMINGTON, IN - Orders for both medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks in North America posted declines, according to two newly released preliminary reports, but the markets remain healthy. For the month of June, 34,600 Classes 5-8 vehicle orders were booked, down 14% from May and 17% less compared to June 2014, according to ACT Research. The commercial vehicle industry data provider said it believes the recent order decline is a reflection of meaningfully larger backlogs rather than any structural change in demand.
Easing Rates, Capacity Lead to Weaker Trucking Biz
BLOOMINGTON, IN -- A measure of trucking industry business conditions fell in April as capacity and pressure on rates eased up.The Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) from the freight forecasting firm FTR shows a 9% decline from the previous month to a relatively modest reading of 6.7, but still higher than the same time last year. A reading above zero indicates a positive business environment while one below zero is negative. It also said lower fuel prices during April resulted in a positive effect on the index.
North American Truck Orders Post April Decline
COLUMBUS and BLOOMINGTON, IN -- Orders for new heavy-duty and medium-duty trucks in North America both hit the skids a little bit, but it's no cause for alarm. During April, 39,700 Class 5 through Class 8 truck orders were booked, down 6% compared the April 2014, according to preliminary numbers from the commercial vehicle industry data provider ACT Research. Actual numbers will be published in mid-May. "While the order volume represents a fairly sharp deceleration from the 50,000 units-plus order months experienced from October to February, the pullback is a reflection of already large backlogs as well as a paucity of build slots remaining in 2015," said Kenny Vieth, ACT president and senior analyst. "This month's net orders were not a surprise, considering that the calendar is moving away from peak order season."
November shippers index improved but still in the red
BLOOMINGTON, IN - FTR's Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for November 2014 stood at -3.2 - a number that reflects the easing of capacity tightness combined with a significant drop in fuel prices. The Shippers Conditions Index is a compilation of factors affecting the shippers transport environment. Any reading below zero indicates a less-than-ideal environment for shippers. While capacity conditions improved in the fourth quarter of 2014, it is still a negative factor, along with rising rates that will continue to impact shippers throughout 2015.
