FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for July, while still in negative territory at -8.07, was the best reading for the index since Q4 2020. The July SCI improved significantly from the June reading of -12.0 with shipper market conditions less negative. However, the only technically positive index factor in the month was an insignificant softening of freight volume. The real improvement came from less negative readings for freight rate and capacity utilization components of the index. The current forecast for the SCI is for it to improve into low negative territory heading into 2022.
“The Shippers Conditions Index improved slightly in July, but that improvement came off a low base,” noted Todd Tranausky, vice president of rail and intermodal at FTR. “Conditions are still tough for shippers and will likely remain difficult for some time to come. Strong capacity utilization will support higher rates even as service suffers over the next several months.”