FTR

FTR reported that June preliminary orders, at 13,800 units, beat expectations for the second straight month after six months of declines. ACT reported that preliminary North American Class 8 June orders—at 16,200 units—rose 5% annually and were up 4% compared to May, remaining seasonally soft, which it said was expected.

For April, the most recent month for which data is available, the TCI eked out a two-point increase, to -3.88, faring better than March’s -5.83.

FTR reported that May preliminary orders, at 13,600 units, beat expectations, as orders had seen declines in six out of seven months through May, rising 9%, from April to May. ACT reported that preliminary North American Class 8 May orders—at 15,500 units—was up 10% annually and rose 29%, from April to May.

For March, the most recent month for which data is available, the SCI reading fell to 4.5, following February’s 5.1 reading and January’s 5.4. These readings are nearly half of December’s 10.3, to finish 2022. November’s 3.0 reading was preceded by -3.1 and -0.3 readings in September and October, respectively.

FTR officials said that the March reading is a byproduct of what it described as persistent unfavorable conditions for carriers. And they pointed to lower fuel costs and slightly stronger utilization that partially offset a more negative rate environment, with spot markets continuing to deteriorate.

FTR reported that April preliminary net orders—at 12,050 units—were down 37% compared to March and down 20% annually, and ACT reported that preliminary North American Class 8 April orders—at 11,600 units—fell 39% compared to March and were off 27% annually.  

FTR said that the February reading reflects an environment “that is mostly favorable and stable for shippers.” And it added that slightly lower fuel costs and relatively weak freight demand offset stronger rates and utilization in the month.

For February, the most recent month for which data is available, the TCI fell to -5.17, below January’s -1.71 reading. This was preceded by December’s -6.1 and November’s -7.94. That was preceded by October’s -11.25, its lowest level since the April 2020 all-time low, at -28.66. The September TCI reading came in at -2.35.

FTR reported that March preliminary net orders—at 19,000 units—were down 11% annually and down 18%, from February to March. ACT reported that March preliminary Class 8 net orders—at 19,200 units—were down 10% annually and down 19%,from February to March.

For January, the most recent month for which data is available, the SCI came in at 5.4, which was nearly half of December’s 10.3 reading. November’s 3.0 reading was preceded by -3.1 and -0.3 readings in September and October, respectively.

For January, the most recent month for which data is available, the TCI came in at -1.71, a significant improvement over December’s -6.1 and November’s -7.94. That was preceded by October’s -11.25, its lowest level since the April 2020 all-time low, at -28.66. The September TCI reading came in at -2.35.

FTR reported that February preliminary net orders—at 22,800—saw a 13% increase, from January to February, and a 10% annual gain, heading up for the first time in five months. ACT reported that preliminary February Class 8 net orders—at 26,300 units—rose 13% annually and were up 27% compared to January.

For December, the most recent month for which data is available, the SCI came in at 10.32, up from November’s 3.0 reading, which was preceded by -3.1 and -0.3 readings in September and October, respectively. December represented the highest SCI reading going back to May 2020.

For December, the most recent month for which data is available, the TCI reading came in at -6.1, faring better than November’s -7.94, which followed October’s -11.25, its lowest level since the April 2020 all-time low, at -28.66. The September TCI reading came in at -2.35.

FTR reported that January preliminary January net orders—at 21,600 units—were down 25% compared to December, while rising 2% annually. ACT reported that January preliminary North American Class 8 orders came in at 18,400 units, well below December’s 30,400 unit preliminary tally and also trailing November, at 30,300 units.