Trucking conditions poised for rebound
The FTR Trucking Conditions Index for March rang in at 7.3, reflecting a continued softness due to the end of the large drops in fuel costs and a modest lessening of demand for truck services, according to the research firm. However, FTR expects conditions affecting trucking companies to rebound by summer as economic growth improves,
Shippers conditions Index dips into negative territory
FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index for February declined from January to a -1.0 reading as the short-term positive impact from one-time adjustments for rapidly dropping diesel prices and reversal of the 2013 hours-of-service changes runs out. From here, the index is expected to deteriorate under pressures building from new regulations hitting the trucking sector along with
Weak trailer orders for March
March 2015 U.S. trailer net orders were 22,000 units, up 7% month-over-month but down 25% year-over-year, according to the latest report from FTR. Orders continue to weaken “primarily because fleets have already placed their 2015 requirements,” the report stated. Trailer build increased 7.5% per day versus February with backlogs falling, “albeit still at a high level,”
February trucking index ‘modestly positive’
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index for February at 7.4 reflects a softening in capacity utilization due to the hours of service suspension and fluctuating diesel prices, the research firm stated. FTR expects the TCI to rise into the summer months and beyond, and expects it could hit double digit positive readings before 2016 as the industry
Class 8 truck orders hit lowest level since September 2014
FTR has released preliminary data showing March 2015 North American Class 8 truck net orders at 24,780 units, the lowest level since September 2014, according to the company. March orders reflected the first negative year-over-year comparison since January 2013. Order levels were somewhat disappointing with FTR anticipating a continued fall in order activity following seasonal
FTR predicts deteriorating shippers conditions
FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index for January rose to a positive 2.6 reading. The positive reading reflects a one-month reaction to fuel price reductions and adjustment for reversal of the 2013 Hours of Service changes, according to the research firm. FTR noted that the index will fall back into neutral territory and deteriorate as the year
Fuel, freight rates, load growth, capacity impact Trucking Conditions Index
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index for January dropped 34% month-over-month to a reading of 7.8, reflecting positive impacts from continued drops in fuel prices being offset by weaker inputs from freight rates, load growth and capacity. According to the research firm, it expects the index to maintain at a high level and move upward again in
February Class 8 orders match expectations
FTR has released preliminary data showing February 2015 North American Class 8 truck net orders at 30,100 units, in line with the company’s expectations. February order activity was 12% below January, “settling into a more reasonable, seasonal level than the previous four months,” FTR said in its report. The research firm added that February was
Shippers conditions improve thanks to diesel pricing, HOS rules
FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index for December 2014 improved to a near neutral reading of -0.6, reflecting the rapid drop in diesel prices along with positive capacity impacts from reversal of some of the Hours of Service rules, according to the research firm. FTR expects the conditions for shippers to deteriorate in 2015, under the pressure
January trailer net orders similar year-over-over
January 2015 U.S. trailer net orders were 27,300, according to FTR’s reports, which is similar to the same month a year ago. FTR reported that the market returned to a more normal order rate after the “blazing pace of the past three months.” “The trailer market remains very vibrant. The van OEMs are finishing up
Lower fuel costs improve trucking conditions in December
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index for December improved 30% month-over-month to a reading of 11.80, reflecting the dramatic drop in fuel costs during the period. Freight growth also remained strong with contract rates continuing to rise. FTR expects a modest relaxation of capacity constraints in 2015, along with a bounce back in diesel prices to keep
Class 8 orders remain strong in January
FTR has released preliminary data showing January 2015 North American Class 8 truck net orders at 35,060 units. While orders cooled from the torrid pace of Q4 2014, FTR said that this is the strongest activity for January since 2006, improving 2% year-over-year. According to the research firm, orders fell back into more traditional patterns