Fleet Management

More gloom than boom, but no doom sums up the economic outlook for 2016 presented by FTR economists in the latest State of Freight webinar hosted by the research and analysis firm.

Tags: FTR, Economy

A report on Class 8 freight volumes issued by ACT Research dovetails with other analysis released this week that signals motor carriers are starting to feel the effect of a slowdown in both import/export activity and in domestic manufacturing levels.

Tags: Economy, ACT Research, Freight

While a recent good unemployment report led some to speculate the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates at year-end, new numbers released Friday remind us there's more to the equation.

Tags: Economy, Retail Sales, Unemployment, Consumer Confidence, Wholesale Prices, Employment, Producer Prices

Taken separately, new reports on freight movements in the U.S. on freight volume, shipper spending and even the spot market seem to run almost counter to one another. A deeper dive into the analysis shows why activity has slowed but is not widespread.

Tags: Economy, Spot Freight, Freight Rates, Freight Index, Cass Freight Index, DAT Solutions, DAT North American Freight Index

One truck component supplier moved from a profit to a loss in the third quarter of the year while a natural gas engine provider took on more red ink.

Tags: Economy, Meritor, Earnings, Cummins Westport, Westport

Despite month-to-month variations, third quarter intermodal freight traffic growth of 3.4% was in line with year-to-date results, according to new figures from the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA).

Tags: Canada, Economy, Railroads, Intermodal, Freight

XPO Logistics, which closed this week on its purchase of Con-Way Inc., reported more revenue but a bigger loss in its third-quarter earnings report, while the mainly truckload fleet USA Truck showed a smaller profit.

Tags: Economy, USA Truck, Con-way Inc., XPO Logistics, Fleet Earnings

Economic activity in the nation’s manufacturing may finally be gaining some momentum after some declines, according to two new reports.

Tags: Economy, Manufacturing, Construction Spending

More trucking companies have released their third quarter financial earnings, showing improvements from a year earlier or at least maintaining their ground, despite complaints about the recent freight-hauling environment.

Tags: Celadon Trucking Services, Celadon Group, ABF, YRC Worldwide, YRC Freight, Hub Group, Economy, Old Dominion Freight Line, ArcBest Corp., Fleet Earnings, LTL

The value of freight moved between the U.S. and its neighbors Canada and Mexico fell in August, totaling $92.4 billion, thanks largely to the drop in fuel and oil prices moved by pipeline and vessel.

Tags: Canada, Economy, Cross-Border Trucking, Mexico, Railroads, Freight, Global

Economic growth in the U.S. lost a good portion of its momentum in the third quarter of the year, but the performance still may still be strong enough for the Federal Reserve to push interest rates higher before the year is out.

Tags: Economy, GDP, Federal Reserve, Interest Rates, Inventories

One trucking company serving mainly the less-than-truckload market and another in the truckload sector have both reported lower third quarter earnings.

Tags: Economy, Heartland Express, Saia, Fleet Earnings

A stretch of recently leaner times for at least one part of the nation’s manufacturing sector could be nearing an end, despite a new report showing lower new orders.

Tags: Economy, Durable Goods, Manufacturing, Consumer Sentiment

Sales of newly built, single-family homes fell to their lowest level since last November, while a separate report shows the first improvement in the nation’s manufacturing sector in five months.

Tags: Economy, Home Sales, Manufacturing

One truck maker has reported its third quarter profit doubled and is considering the sale of its used truck business while one of the nation’s largest trucking fleets has reported new records for the period in several areas.

Tags: Economy, Volvo Trucks, Mack Trucks, Earnings, Landstar System, Fleet Earnings

Existing home sales rebounded strongly in September following an August decline, according to the National Association of Realtors. That's not the only good news when it comes to an improving home market, and a separate report shows the overall economy isn't as bad as you may think.

Tags: Economy, Home Sales, Leading Economic Indicators, Home Building

Daimler AG, Dana and Rush Enterprises all saw weaker third-quarter financials compared to a year ago, thanks in part to the recession in Brazil and the downturn in the North American oil and gas industry.

Tags: Economy, Dana Holding Corp., Rush Enterprises, Daimler, Earnings, Daimler Trucks North America

Two large trucking fleets reported big increases in profits for the third quarter of the year. A fleet management and related services conglomerate also saw a hike, but things slipped for a niche trucking provider.

Tags: Economy, Ryder System, Werner Enterprises, Forward Air, Knight Transportation, Fleet Earnings

Marten Transport reported a 9.9% increase in third quarter net income from a year earlier, due in part to increased dedicated business.

Tags: Economy, Marten Transport, Fleet Earnings

A report released Friday shows industrial production in the U.S. fell for the second consecutive month, the latest confirmation the economy lost some ground in the third quarter of the year.

Tags: Economy, Consumer Confidence, Industrial Production, Consumer Sentiment

Covenant Transportation Group reported a big gain in third quarter profit. Revenue slipped 2.3% but freight revenue moved higher.

Tags: Economy, Covenant Transport, Fleet Earnings

PHILADELPHIA – “Most motor carriers have had a pretty good year – not great – but pretty good for 2015,” said Bill Graves, president of the American Trucking Associations, in his annual report on the state of the industry.

Tags: Economy, ATA, Congress, Politics, Bill Graves, ATA MC&E

PHILADELPHIA — Freight volumes and GDP growth have not been as high as many hoped this year, but trucking companies should be ready for growth to return to higher levels, according to a presentation by two economists at the American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & Exhibition.

Tags: Economy, ATA MC&E

The amount of for-hire freight increased for the second consecutive month, hitting a new record high, due in large part to a jump in truck shipments, according to new U.S. Transportation Department figures.

Tags: Freight, Freight Index, Economy

Overall inflation is posing no threat to the U.S. economy, with a new report showing retail prices fell in September, the biggest drop in eight months. However, a key measure inside this moved higher, leading to more guessing about whether the Fed will raise interest rates.

Tags: Economy, Consumer Prices, Federal Reserve