In the fast-paced world of B2B publishing, particularly for editors covering supply chain, logistics, and transportation sectors, having access to reliable industry metrics is crucial for producing high-quality, insightful content. Two indispensable tools have emerged as vital resources for understanding market dynamics: FTR's Shipper Conditions Index (SCI) and the American Trucking Associations' (ATA) Truck Tonnage Index.
FTR Shipper Conditions Index (SCI): Your Guide to Capacity Trends
Understanding the SCI
The FTR SCI is a comprehensive market indicator that evaluates multiple factors affecting shippers' transportation environment. Unlike single-dimension metrics, it provides a holistic view by analyzing capacity, rates, demand, and regulatory impacts.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive analysis: Integrates multiple market factors into a single indicator
- Predictive capability: Offers forward-looking insights beyond current conditions
- Decision-making tool: Helps shippers, carriers, and investors formulate strategies
Interpreting SCI Values
The index uses zero as its baseline:
- SCI > 0: Favorable conditions for shippers with ample capacity and lower rates
- SCI < 0: Challenging environment with tight capacity and rising rates
Recent Market Observations
The June 2017 SCI showed modest improvement from -1.9 to -0.7, approaching neutral territory. This gradual recovery suggests:
- Market conditions are stabilizing after previous challenges
- Shippers still face some capacity constraints despite improvements
Future Outlook
FTR anticipates:
- Moderate SCI levels through 2017 due to slow contract pricing growth
- Potential capacity tightening in 2018
- Ongoing regulatory impacts from ELD implementation
ATA Truck Tonnage Index: The Economic Barometer
Index Fundamentals
The ATA's monthly Truck Tonnage Index serves as a key economic indicator, reflecting the relationship between freight movement and broader economic activity.
Index Variations
ATA publishes two versions:
- Seasonally Adjusted (SA): Removes seasonal variations for trend analysis
- Not Seasonally Adjusted (NSA): Reflects actual tonnage movements
July 2017 Data Highlights
The SA index showed:
- 0.1% increase from June's 4.4% decline
- 2.3% year-over-year growth
- 1.2% cumulative growth for the first seven months of 2017
Economic Context
ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello noted the modest growth aligns with mixed economic signals, including:
- Retail sales growth
- Declines in manufacturing output and housing starts
Comparative Analysis
While serving different purposes, both indices provide valuable perspectives:
- SCI focuses on shipper-specific market conditions
- ATA index reflects broader economic trends
- Both consider regulatory and national factors
Practical Applications for B2B Editors
These metrics enable editors to:
- Analyze market trends with authoritative data
- Develop forward-looking industry perspectives
- Create content with greater depth and relevance
- Support reader decision-making with factual insights
Content Development Strategies
Effective approaches include:
- Regular index tracking for trend identification
- Comparative analysis between indices
- Contextualizing data within broader industry developments
- Connecting metrics to practical business implications