FTR | State of Freight

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review payroll employment and population changes related to trucking and discuss other data on employment, trade, manufacturing, and consumption as well as economic data for Q2. Plus, we recap the week in diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight as usual.

The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this informat...

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we look at key indicators of the housing market and demand for manufactured products and we review some of the latest trade deals. Plus, we examine the latest data on pre-employment queries of the drug and alcohol clearinghouse and recap the week in diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight as usual.

The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President...

This week, Joseph Towers discusses potential Class I mergers—Union Pacific with Norfolk Southern and BNSF with CSX—which could reshape U.S. rail but face steep regulatory hurdles. He also covers new U.S. trade moves with Japan and the EU.

Rail traffic rose 5.4% YoY, led by gains in grain, motor vehicles, and coal. Intermodal volumes are also up, especially for CSX and Canadian carriers. Year-to-date rail traffic is up 2.9%, driven b...

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we dig into some key indicators of the industrial, consumer, and housing sectors, including manufacturing output, retail sales, inventories, and residential construction. Plus, we recap the latest week in diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight. 

The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is pres...

 In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update, we review another bit change in spot market rates. Also, we summarize the latest actions related to tariffs and address data on vehicle sales, wholesale inventories, and business applications. Plus, we recap the week in diesel prices.

 The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is presented, you are welcome to foll...

In the July 10 episode of FTR’s Rail and Intermodal Update podcast with Joseph Towers:

🔺 Trade & Tariff Developments

🌏 Trade Realignment & Import Trends

🚢 Port Utilization Trends

🚆 Rail Traffic Update (Week Ending July 5, 2025)

🎧 Final Notes

The Rail Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Senior Analyst, Rail, Joseph Towers.  As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs and indicators yo...

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we examine the latest payroll employment and carrier population data related to for-hire trucking and discuss a big week for spot rates. Plus, we look at the broader labor market, dig more into the latest trade data, and recap the week in diesel prices as usual. 

The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is...

This episode focuses on a flurry of pro-trucker policy actions from the Department of Transportation, including a national audit of non-domicile CDL practices, withdrawal of a speed limiter rule, and two new pilot programs that allow more flexible hours-of-service. FMCSA also committed to expanding truck parking, modernizing its complaint system, and cracking down on double brokering. On the data front, diesel prices declined after...

In this episode of FTR’s Rail and Intermodal Update, host Joseph Towers covers:

• FTR Conference: Sept. 8–11 in Indianapolis — trucking and rail focus.
• Tariffs & Geopolitics:
  • U.S. tariffs may return July 8.
  • Risk of Strait of Hormuz closure could spike oil prices, similar to past global shocks.
• Rail Traffic (Week Ending June 21)
• Tariff Impact:
  • U.S. metal traffic ↑; Canada ↓ — shows expected shift due to steel/aluminum ta...

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review some big changes in the fuel and petroleum markets in the wake of big developments in the Middle East. We also examine some key data related to the industrial, consumer, and housing sectors and recap the week in the spot market for truck freight as usual.

The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information ...

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review some alarming pricing data out of the Bureau of Labor Statistics related to trucking insurance as well as pricing more broadly in the U.S. economy. We also revisit trucking revenues for the first quarter in light of more detailed data, examine the latest data from the FMCSA’s drug and alcohol clearinghouse, and recap the week in diesel prices and the spot mar...

In this episode of FTR’s Rail and Intermodal Update, host Joseph Towers covers:

Tariff Update.

Rail Traffic – Week Ending June 7

Commodity Trends

The Rail Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Senior Analyst, Rail, Joseph Towers.  As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs and indicators yourself by downloading the PDF of the presentation.

Download the PDF: https://www.ftrintel.com/rail...

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we dig into the latest employment data for trucking and related sectors and review the broader employment picture for the economy. We also revisit international trade in goods now that we have more detailed data and review a closely watched indicator of the health of the manufacturing sector. Plus, we recap the week in diesel prices and the spot market for truck freigh...

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review the latest figures on imports and exports of goods and look at data on consumer spending, inventories, and orders for manufactured goods. Plus, we discuss the entry and exit of for-hire carriers in May and recap the week in diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight as usual. 

The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, A...

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review several important developments in Washington related to trucking. We also examine revenues for trucking in the first quarter and sales for new and existing homes in April. Plus, we recap the week in the spot market for truck freight as usual. 

The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is presented...

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we dig into some key indicators of the industrial, consumer, and retail sectors and discuss the latest pricing data for consumers and businesses. Plus, we recap the week in diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight.

The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow ...

 In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we discuss the temporary trade deal between the U.S. and China and revisit trade data for March now that we have more detailed data. Plus, we recap the week in the spot market for truck freight. 

The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs ...