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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.
49 Episodes
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In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review some developments related to the English language proficiency requirement and discuss several other topics specific to the trucking industry, including overall market conditions, equipment demand, and data from the drug and alcohol clearinghouse. Plus, we discuss a key indicator of the manufacturing sector recap the week in diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight. The Trucking Market Update is hosted b...
In this episode of FTR’s Rail Market Update, host Joseph Towers covers: Weekly rail trafficBreaking down the latest ARCI reportThe 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-podcast Support the show
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we discuss a huge week in the spot market for truck freight. We also review U.S. trade in goods, pricing at the producer level, inventories and sales in the wholesale sector, and diesel prices in the latest week. 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 pr...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review indicators of manufacturing demand, consumer spending and pricing, vehicle sales, construction spending, and establishments of new businesses. 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 and indicators y...
In this episode of FTR’s Rail Market Update, host Joseph Towers covers: STB's ruling of the UP-NS application as "incomplete"Weekly rail trafficThe 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-podcast Support the show
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review several key indicators of the industrial, consumer, and housing sectors of the economy and 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. Download the PDF: https://ftrintel.com/t...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we discuss payroll employment in trucking and for the overall U.S. economy. We also address residential construction and U.S. trade in goods. 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 and indicators yours...
In this episode Joseph Towers opens the year with a comprehensive review of full-year 2025 rail traffic, highlighting modest overall growth driven by grains and coal, continued softness in industrial commodities such as metals and forest products, and a largely flat outlook for motor vehicles heading into 2026. He then walks through the latest procedural developments surrounding the proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger, outlining what remains in the Surface Transportation Board revi...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we discuss the changes in the for-hire trucking firm population in December and the number of heavy-duty truck orders during the month. We also review U.S. Gross Domestic Product for the third quarter and several indicators of the industrial sector. 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, A...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review several metrics that suggest that trucking capacity has tightened, including stronger than seasonal performance for spot rates. We also discuss some key economic indicators, including retail sales, home sales, and consumer inflation. 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...
This episode of FTR’s Rail and Intermodal Update focuses on year-end trends in North American rail traffic, with Joseph Towers breaking down the latest carload and intermodal performance by commodity and carrier. The podcast also addresses the growing uncertainty surrounding the proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger following public opposition from the Teamsters Rail Conference, setting the stage for what could be a challenging and consequential year ahead for the rail industry...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review the latest data on payroll employment and wages in trucking and the employment situation for the U.S. economy as a whole. We also discuss trucking industry revenues for the third quarter and review a surge in business applications and distorted goods trade figures. 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 o...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we briefly discuss some recent safety enforcement moves and examine the change in the for-hire carrier population in November. We also review indicators related to the industrial and consumer sectors and to employment. Plus, we recap the week for diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight, both of which saw some big changes in the latest week. The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Aver...
This week’s Rail and Intermodal Update delivers a concise look at rail traffic trends as the industry moves through a quiet holiday period with limited major news expected. Joseph Towers highlights the upcoming Midwest Association of Rail Shippers Winter Meeting and provides timely context on the delayed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger filing. The episode then breaks down the latest carload and intermodal performance, noting key commodity movements and carrier-level shifts across ...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review some indicators of the industrial and consumer sectors and pricing for freight transportation services and selected trucking cost centers. 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 and indicators yours...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we examine payroll employment in trucking and broader economic and review indicators on housing and trade. We also discuss an annual revision of industrial production figures that show a significantly different picture of the manufacturing sector than we had before this week. 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 Tru...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we discuss court action last week blocking a new rule regarding non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses and 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 downloading the presentation. Download the...
In today’s episode, Joseph Towers recaps key takeaways from FTR’s recent Houston events and breaks down the latest railcar and intermodal trends. He highlights weak new car orders, declining backlogs, and a softer outlook for builders heading into 2026, then shifts to intermodal with October’s sharp TEU declines at the Port of Long Beach and muted U.S. rail traffic. Despite broad softness—especially in automotive—he notes a few bright spots in chemicals, petroleum, and nonmetallic minerals be...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we examine data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regarding the drug and alcohol clearinghouse and enforcement of the English language proficiency requirement for drivers. Plus, we look at non-governmental data on private-sector employment in October and 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 inform...
In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review changes in the for-hire carrier population in October and discuss a key indicator of the health of the manufacturing sector. 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 downloadin...
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