Freightonomics

Join FreightWaves for our December State of Freight webinar as we wrap up a volatile year and project the key drivers for the transportation market in 2026. Hosted by Julia Becker, VP of Media Operations, this session features deep-dive analysis from strategic experts Zach Strickland (Head of Freight Market Intelligence) and JP Hampstead (Strategic Analyst). The team explores the surprising "peakiness" of the 2025 holiday season and examines why traditional market cycles are shifting. Using real-time data from the SONAR platform, this webinar breaks down the core metrics every shipper, carrier, and broker needs to understand to navigate the year ahead. Key Discussion Points Tender Rejections & Spot Rates: Why rejection rates surged to 11.9% and the implications of the sharp trajectory in spot market pricing. Inventory Shifts: The transition from "just-in-case" to "just-in-time" inventory strategies and how lean management is increasing freight velocity. Capacity Volatility: An analysis of the continued exit of small and mid-sized carriers and the regulatory pressures—including English language proficiency enforcement—impacting driver availability. Economic Tailwinds & Headwinds: The impact of recent Fed rate cuts, unemployment figures, and the looming review of the USMCA trade agreement on flatbed and dry van demand. The Rise of Short-Haul: A look at the 11% growth in local fulfillment freight and what it reveals about consumer buying patterns. AI in Logistics: Where mid-sized fleets should focus their tech investments, from route optimization to back-office automation. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Zac Rogers comes on to discuss the supply chain themes that moved the market in 2025 and the ones that will carry into 2026. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Freight has faced turbulence from every direction: trade tensions, shifting regulations, and a government shutdown. Join JP Hampstead, Strategic Analyst at FreightWaves, and Zach Strickland, Head of Freight Market Intelligence at SONAR for this month's State of Freight, presented by Triumph, as they discuss: - How the capacity crunch is impacting the market for holiday shipping - The latest tariff rulings and their effect on global trade - How the government shutdown influenced freight demand Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Freight data suggests a muted peak season from a demand perspective, but ongoing capacity reductions make it hard to say it will be a complete non-event. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Zac Rogers and Zach Strickland discuss the October LMI readings and how businesses are being impacted by the government shutdown and the looming tariff ruling. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach Strickland of Freightonomics sits down with two expert guests: Henry Byers, Director of Pricing at KCH Transportation, and Jared Flinn, Co-Founder and Operating Partner at BulkLoads, to dissect the diverging paths of the freight market and the red-hot bulk market.The conversation covers critical dynamics impacting the industry, including: Dry Van/Reefer Volatility: Henry Byers discusses the choppy, frothy conditions and upward pressure on spot rates in the domestic truckload market, pointing to unexpected pockets like Indianapolis ripping and volatility in long-haul segments like Ontario, California to Chicago. The Booming Bulk Market: Jared Flinn notes that the bulk market, particularly in agriculture, is experiencing all-time highs and operating completely opposite to the dry van/reefer sector. He shares that the bulk market is insulated, more regional, and a "great place to live right now" for carriers. Trade War Impact: The experts explore how the trade war, including the lack of China buying US soybeans, has affected both domestic supply chains and the containerized freight epicenter of Southern California. 2026 Outlook & Hot Takes: The guests wrap up with their predictions for the coming year, with a bullish outlook for the bulk market and a forecast for continued volatility and upward rate pressure in the truckload sector. Don't miss this deep dive into the current freight environment and what to watch out for in 2026! Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The truckload spot market erupted this week as the Serbian news called for drivers to stay off the roads amidst ICE raids. Rates jumped despite weak demand. Dr. Zac Rogers gives the latest LMI report and the import market stabilizes. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The freight economy has been depressed for the past three years. The broader economy has stumbled into stagnation in 2025, but the financial markets have largely ignored it. Zach and Thomas break down why. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The freight market continues to shift under the weight of economic stagnation, unpredictable demand patterns and industry headwinds. As we move into peak season, the question remains: What comes next? Join Craig Fuller, Founder & CEO at FreightWaves, and Zach Strickland, Head of Freight Market Intelligence at SONAR for this month’s State of Freight, presented by Triumph, as they discuss: - Economic Pressures: How ongoing stagnation is reshaping freight dynamics- Peak Season Outlook: A refined read on what shippers and carriers should really expect- Market Wild Cards: The external forces that could send the industry in a new direction Whether you’re planning capacity, managing spend, or assessing risk, this discussion will help you stay one step ahead of market uncertainty. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Thomas try to sort through what has become a hyper political economic environment that is weighing heavily on supply chains. Also: The truckload market has started to pick up in front of Labor Day. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Craig Fuller and Zach Strickland as they cover the latest in freight market movements for the month of August. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Zac Rogers comes on to discuss the July LMI and update on the current supply chain amidst the continued tariff turmoil. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. economic landscape remains confusing—not only due to erratic trade policy but also because the country is still feeling the aftershocks of the pandemic-era growth surge. These pressures have deepened the divides between small and large businesses, young and old generations, and low- and high-income households. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Zac Rogers returns to give a mid-year update on how supply chains are responding to the ongoing trade war and what the LMI respondents expect for the rest of the year.  Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Thomas Wasson discuss the latest Logistics Managers’ Index report and how the ongoing trade war is impacting supply chains. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and John Paul Hampstead discuss erratic import demand and its impact on supply chains as well as the downgrade on US debt and a slowing housing market. Follow the Freightonomics PodcastOther FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and John Paul Hampstead bring on Dr. Zac Rogers, co-author of the Logistics Managers’ Index to discuss the influence of tariffs on supply chains. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and economic researcher Michael Rudolph discuss the recent tariff and American trade policy and its impact on the economy and supply chains.  Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Tony bring on Dr. Zac Rogers to discuss the latest LMI readings and dive deeper into inventory management practices among the shipping community.  Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Tony discuss what we have learned over the past two weeks of tariff implementations and pauses, while also discussing why freight market optimism has not manifested into a significant market shift. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices