FTR

For February, the most recent month for which data is available, the SCI reading came in at -1.4, below January’s 3.4, which was 3% below December’s 6.4 reading and also below November’s 6.3.

For February, the most recent month for which data is available, the TCI reading came in a -5.31, down from January’s -1.41, which was ahead of December’s -4.3.

FTR reported that preliminary March net orders, at 18,200 units, were down 34% compared to February and off 4% annually. ACT reported that March preliminary North America Class 8 orders, at 17,300 units, were off 10,400 units, or roughly 40%, compared to February, and off 8.7% annually.

For January, the most recent month for which data is available, the SCI reading came in at 3.3, marking a 3% decline December’s 6.4 reading and also below November’s 6.3. October had topped September's 4.3 by 2%, with FTR saying at the time reflected the most favorable market conditions for shippers since June 2023.

The new edition of the Trucking Conditions Index (TCI), which was recently issued by freight transportation consultancy FTR, saw some signs of improvement but again remaining short of growth.

FTR reported that preliminary February net orders, at 25,700 units, were down 9% compared to January and headed up 11% annually. ACT reported that February preliminary North American Class 8 net orders, at 27,700 units, saw a 600-unit gain over January, while posting a 16% annual increase.

For December, the most recent month for which data is available, the SCI was essentially flat, coming in at 6.4, edging out November’s 6.3 reading. October had topped October’s 4.3 by 2%, with FTR saying at the time reflected the most favorable market conditions for shippers since June 2023.

The state of the freight economy was a key theme at the SMC3 JumpStart 2024 conference held in Atlanta late last month. Avery Vise, vice president of trucking, for freight transportation consultancy FTR, offered up his views on the freight economy, at the moment, and where things could be headed.

FTR reported that preliminary January net orders, at 26,400 units, snapped a three-month stretch of sequential declines, with a 2% gain over December, while posting a 35% annual increase. ACT reported that January preliminary North American Class 8 orders, at 27,000 units, rose by 600 units compared to December and climbed up 45% annually.

For November, the most recent week for which data is available, the SCI headed up to 6.3, topping October’s reading by 2%.

For November, the most recent month for which data is available, the TCI reading, at -1.35, marked an improvement compared to November and October’s respective -6.07 and -8.97 readings.

It is fair to say that the topic of inventory management has always had a permanent seat at the table, so to speak, when it comes to mapping out logistics and supply chain planning and operations processes. That theme became especially heightened, as we all well know, during the height of the pandemic nearly four years ago.

For October, the most recent month for which data is available, the SCI reading came in at 4.3.

FTR reported that December preliminary orders, at 26,620 units, trailed November by 26% and were off 6% annually. CT reported that that preliminary North American Class 8 December orders, at 26,500 units, were off by 15,000 units compared to November.

For October, the most recent month for which data is available, the TCI reading, at -6.07 saw improvement compared to September’s -8.97. That was preceded by August’s -12.54 reading (its lowest reading going back to November 2022), which was preceded by July’s -5.34 reading and June’s -6.29 reading.