FTR

The final numbers on August net trailer orders show a significant increase over the previous month that still fell slightly below expectations.

Changes on the way for trucking could be as sweeping as the deregulation of the early 1980s or the invention of the Interstate Highway System, according to analysts with FTR at the company's transportation conference.

FTR’s Intermodal Competitive Index fell more than three points from June to a reading of 0.6 in July, a large drop that nearly brought the ICI into negative territory.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Expect big changes over the years in the way trucking and supply chains are managed, including turning it upside down. That was one of the messages those attending the FTR Transportation Conference heard Thursday morning.

While a recovery for freight and the overall U.S. economy is in the cards for the fourth quarter of the year, those attending the first sessions of the FTR Transportation Conference in Indianapolis on Wednesday were also told by experts they should not expect a huge boom.

FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index improved in July reflecting improved market prospects as a result of moderate economic growth and a regulatory environment that is tightening capacity.

Orders for Class 8 trucks in the month of August will be slightly above expectations and a 36% improvement over July’s terrible numbers, according to projections from FTR and ACT Research.

As FTR and Truckstop.com apply "big data" analysis to spot market pricing, Noel Perry, FTR transportation economist, offers some insights into the volatility of spot pricing and how spot prices correlate with contract pricing.

FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index reveals that trucking conditions in June showed few signs of improvement due to slow freight and a lull in new regulations.

It looks like July was another off month for Class 8 truck orders as industry analysts are predicting some of the lowest numbers since 2010.

A high number of dry van trailer order cancellations caused the trailer market to perform below expectations in June, as U.S. net trailer orders fell 10% from the month before and 56% compared to June 2015.

FTR’s Intermodal Competitive Index dropped in May reflecting a domestic intermodal sector that is still experiencing somewhat difficult competitive conditions.

Class 8 truck order numbers have hit their lowest point in at least four years, with demand remaining depressed so far in 2016.

The FTR Trucking Conditions Index for April was up over the previous month, but still not significantly better-- reflecting soft market conditions affecting the trucking sector.

Both heavy- and medium-duty truck orders are projected to have a subdued May, according to preliminary numbers from ACT Research and FTR.

Trailer orders increased in the month of April, gaining 15% over the previous month thanks to the dry van and refrigerated trailer markets.

FTR's Trucking Conditions Index fell by nearly 50% in March as a weak economy during the first quarter of 2016 negatively impacted the freight market.

FTR has launched the Truck Dealers Market Report, a monthly, 8-page report that includes current information, statistics and analysis on medium- and heavy-duty market trends that directly impact truck dealers.

FTR's new Intermodal Competitive Index indicated that intermodal conditions were generally positive but not stellar.

Class 8 truck orders are projected to fall for the fourth month in a row, highlighting a weaker freight environment in the trucking industry, according to preliminary numbers from ACT Research and FTR.