BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index declined modestly in September to 8.13 from August’s 11.5 reading due to record fuel costs and a pause in the trend toward stronger freight rates.
“Multiple signs point to a truck freight market that probably will be considerably stronger over the next few quarters than we had previously forecast,” said Avery Vise, FTR’s vice president of trucking. “Slow employment growth in trucking despite strong freight rates suggests head winds for adding drivers, including various enforcement initiatives. An increase in our freight volume forecast puts further upward pressure on capacity utilization.”
FTR’s revised forecast calls for more favorable conditions for carriers over at least the next three quarters than in the prior outlook.
Details of the September TCI are found in the November issue of FTR’s Trucking Update, published on Oct. 30. The issue’s commentary discusses the varied dynamics that can drive peak seasons in trucking.
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