BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index for April at -17.4 was only slightly improved from March’s -18.9 reading.
“There aren’t really any silver linings in our outlook for shippers’ market conditions, especially through the balance of 2026,” said Avery Vise, FTR’s vice president of trucking. “The least challenging factor for shippers in the SCI is a freight volume environment that is still fairly close to neutral. However, that situation is complicated.”
The contribution from fuel costs was notably less negative than it had been in March, but most of that relative relief was offset by freight rates and capacity constraints that were markedly more negative for shippers than they were in the previous month.
“Although a lack of robust volume systemwide is reassuring for those responsible for moving goods for individual shippers, it also implies a lack of strong demand for purchasing goods, which is not good financially for the companies that employ those transportation professionals,” Vise said. “Signs do point to potentially stronger consumption due to stronger job growth and continued gains in the industrial sector, but stronger activity likely would bring even stronger freight rates and capacity utilization.”
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
