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State of Freight is a series of industry resources from FTR, the leader in market intelligence and forecasting for the North American freight transportation industry. FTR podcasts provide updates for the Trucking and Rail markets, as well as the broader economy. Each podcast includes a slide deck of graphs that can be used in presentations or for internal analysis. For show downloads and to signup for more State of Freight content, go to www.FTRintel.com/podcast.
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In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we dig into some key freight-related economic indicators, including manufacturing production, retail sales, and inventories. 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, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs and indicators yourself by downloading the presentation....
This week in the Rail Market Update: STB Developments: President Trump nominated Dick Closter to replace Marty Oberman on the Surface Transportation Board and renominated Michelle Schultz, while Robert Primus continues to contest his firing. These moves come as the STB prepares to weigh the proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern transcontinental merger. Rail Traffic Trends: For the week ending September 13, North American rail traffic was down 0.9% y/y. Carloads declined in coal, forest...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review a preliminary revision in employment data and how it might affect how we view trucking capacity. We also revisit trucking industry revenues during the second quarter and consider government data on pricing for consumers and businesses, including for freight transportation services, insurance, and trailers. Plus, we recap the week in diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight. The Trucking Market Update is hoste...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we examine payroll employment in trucking and in the broader economy and look at economic indicators related to manufacturing and trade. 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 and indicators yourself by downloading the presentation. D...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review changes in the for-hire trucking firm population in August and dig into indicators related to manufacturing, consumption and inventories. 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 along and look at the graphs and indicators yourself by dow...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we consider the consequences of a single truck crash and review revenues for the trucking industry during the second quarter. Plus, we discuss several key metrics related to the housing market 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, Avery Vise. As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow alon...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review the latest figures on industrial production and manufacturing output, retail sales, vehicle sales, inventories and pricing for consumers and the supply chain. Plus, we recap the week for 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 along and look at the graphs and indi...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review data on trade and wholesale inventories, discuss the latest developments on tariffs, and address the latest data from FMCSA’s drug and alcohol clearinghouse. 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 information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs a...
In this week's episode of our Rail Market Update, Joseph talks about: Biggest industry news: Proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger, potentially creating the first coast-to-coast Class I railroad since 1869, with insight into timelines and competitive possibilities.Rail traffic trends: Total North American volumes up 3.6% y/y; strong carload growth led by grain, autos, and coal, while intermodal gains remain modest.ARCI results: Q2 2025 railcar deliveries and orders both ticked ...
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 information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at...
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 of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is presented, y...
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 by intermodal strength. Plus, a reminder: the FTR Conference i...
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 presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the g...
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 follow along and look at the graphs and indicators your...
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 yourself by downloading the PDF of the presentation. Down...
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 presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at ...
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 recent gains, while spot rates—especially for dry van and ree...
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 tariffs.The Rail Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Senior Analyst, Rail, Joseph T...
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 is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the...
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 market for truck freight as usual. The Trucking Market Upda...
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