FTR

FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index for July remains in a positive range with a reading of 5.75, reflecting tightening capacity, rising spot rates.

It’s apparent that people are working very hard in Houston, because the spot market trucking statistics are showing strong positive moves, in some cases to levels above pre-storm benchmarks.

Talk about how the company Amazon is changing the future of freight transportation kicked off the final day of the FTR Transportation Conference in Indianapolis on Wednesday with a panel that included two truck fleet representatives.

How fleets think about equipment, electronic logging devices and even the future of autonomous vehicles were in the spotlight Wednesday afternoon at the annual FTR Transportation Conference in Indianapolis, as three trucking fleet people spoke on a panel about the challenges they face in today’s uncertain trucking environment.

Speaking about the impact of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma at the FTR Transportation Conference, analysts estimated that the economic impact on the region could cost GDP 0.5% in the third quarter of 2017.

"Sometimes growing stronger is also the next thing that leads to the next recession." Dr. Larry Davidson, professor emeritus of business economics and public policy at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, talked about "secular stagnation" at the FTR Transportation Conference.

Class 8 truck orders continued to climb steadily in August, while medium-duty truck orders have stagnated a little, according to preliminary numbers from transportation analysts FTR and ACT Research.

Recent reports on industrial activity have done little to change FTR's viewpoint on the strength of the U.S. economy or freight demand.

FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index fell by more than two points in June as a result of increased costs for labor, fuel, and equipment, reflecting less favorable conditions for trucking.

The final trailer order numbers for the month of July have been released by transportation industry analysts FTR and ACT Research, showing a steep decline from the previous month, but an increase overall compared to last year.

Class 8 truck orders are expected to increase in July compared to the previous month and previous year, according to preliminary numbers from ACT Research and FTR.

The final net trailer order numbers for the month of June have been published by FTR, showing a 12% increase from the previous month.

FTR and Truckstop.com have announced that Noël Perry, a partner at FTR, will lead the economic analysis for Truckstop.com, assuming the role of chief economist for the load board and technology company.

FTR released a new report detailing the economics of using twin 33-foot trailers, showing that only in specific cases would the extra capacity lead to a benefit. However, for those fleets, the increase would be worth it.

FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index showed improving freight demand while ACT Research's For-Hire Trucking Index indicated that fleets were looking to buy new equipment.

FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index fell slightly in March despite positive economic conditions, reversing an upturn from the previous month – but capacity is expected to tighten.

Class 8 truck orders had a solid month in April, meeting expectations and beating the previous month, according to early numbers from FTR and ACT Research.

Despite falling compared to the previous month, net trailer orders in March remained robust, posting significant gains compared to last year.

FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index for February took a positive step, as the company's analysts expect the index to approach a double digit positive reading by the end of the year due to the combination of freight growth and still-planned regulatory headwinds in 2017.