FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) moved into positive territory in September to a reading of 0.35 from the previous -2.7 in August. The slowing of the recent surge in diesel prices helped shippers as market conditions otherwise were mostly stable.
“The neutral reading just above zero shows a relatively stable result, but it moves the index back into positive territory on an easing of diesel prices,” said Todd Tranausky, vice president of rail and intermodal at FTR. “Otherwise, the market is little changed. Moving forward, it is likely that diesel prices will determine what the change in the index will be for the next few months.”