FTR

FTR reported that November preliminary orders, at 36,750 units, were up 32% compared to October and up 2% annually. CT reported that that preliminary North American Class 8 November orders, at 41,700 units, were up by 9,000 units compared to October and above the 32,700 units recorded in November 2022.  

For September, the most recent month for which data is available, the SCI reading came in at 0.35, marking an improvement over August’s -2.7 reading, which was its first negative reading since October 2022. This came on the heels of a 1.6 July reading, which was well below June’s 7.9.

The TCI reading, at -8.97, was an improvement compared to August’s -12.54 reading (its lowest reading going back to November 2022).

FTR reported that October preliminary orders, at 28,000 units, were down 10% compared to September and fell 35% annually. ACT reported that that preliminary North American Class 8 October orders, at 31,900 units, came in below September’s preliminary reading, at 36,800 units.

For August, the most recent month for which data is available, the SCI reading, at -2.7, registered a negative reading for the first time since October 2022. This came on the heels of a 1.6 July reading, which was well below June’s 7.9.

Rapidly diversifying truckload carriers are riding out a slump in long-haul ground freight. These “durable, diversified, and resilient” plans are paying off for those TL carriers willing to change with the economic headwinds facing the sector.

For August, the most recent month for which data is available, the TCI reading was -12.54, well below July's -5.34 reading and June's -6.29 reading.

The current state of rail carload and intermodal markets can be viewed as a “good news-bad news story” in a few different ways. That was the word from Todd Tranausky, Vice President of Rail and Intermodal, for Indianapolis-based freight transportation consultancy FTR.

FTR reported that September preliminary orders, at 31,200 units, saw a 94% increase, from August to September. ACT reported that that preliminary North American Class 8 September orders—at 36,800 units—increased 67%, from August to September, marking its highest level for orders in the last year.

For July, the most recent month for which data is available, the SCI reading came in at 1.6, well below June’s 7.9.

For July, the most recent month for which data is available, the TCI reading was -5.34, faring better than June’s -6.29, the lowest TCI reading going back to November 2022.

FTR reported that August preliminary orders, at 15,400 units, saw a 16% increase, from July to August. ACT reported that preliminary North American Class 8 August orders—at 19,000 units—were off 9% annually, while posting its best month since January, with the firm noting that continued economic strength and seasonal adjustment keeping orders on trend.

June’s SCI reading, at 7.9, was down compared to May’s 8.6, with FTR observing that the reading was negatively impacted by gains in diesel prices.

For June, the most recent month for which data is available, the TCI came in at-6.29, losing ground from May’s -3.75 reading.

FTR reported that July preliminary orders, at roughly 13,500 units, exceeded expectations, while trailing June by 8% and topping July 2022 by 25%. ACT reported that preliminary North American Class 8 July orders, at 16,000, was up 45% annually.