TD Cowen Index Shows Freight Market Cooling Amid Economic Pressures

TD Cowen Index Shows Freight Market Cooling Amid Economic Pressures

Freight indices indicate peak season strength or weakness, with varying activity across different transportation markets. LTL rates are increasing, parcel rates are decreasing, and truckload rates remain stable. Influenced by macroeconomic factors and others, flexibility and responsiveness are crucial. The freight index provides insights into the current state of the logistics market and helps businesses understand the trends in transportation rates, enabling them to make informed decisions and adapt to market fluctuations effectively. Monitoring these indicators is key for navigating the complexities of the logistics landscape.

01/19/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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North American Class 8 Truck Orders Drop Amid Cooling Demand

North American Class 8 Truck Orders Drop Amid Cooling Demand

Recent data shows a decrease in North American Class 8 heavy-duty truck net orders for November, both month-over-month and year-over-year, indicating a cooling market demand. This decline is attributed to easing order backlogs, a high-interest rate environment, and concerns about economic growth. However, the market is not in full recession and retains potential for future growth. The order drop serves as an economic signal, suggesting a cautious outlook for the transportation sector and broader economy.

01/28/2026 Logistics
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Strong Consumer Demand Fails to Lift Freight Sector

Strong Consumer Demand Fails to Lift Freight Sector

At the SMC3 Jump Start 2024 Conference, Armada's Prather pointed out a "decoupling" between the positive macroeconomic indicators and the cooling freight market. This is attributed to various factors including shifts in consumption patterns, adjustments in inventory management strategies, regionalization of supply chains, and technological advancements. Consequently, it's no longer reliable to solely rely on macroeconomic indicators to predict the performance of the freight market. These structural changes necessitate a more nuanced approach to understanding the dynamics of freight demand.

01/28/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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US Rail Freight Gains in Carloads Dips in Intermodal

US Rail Freight Gains in Carloads Dips in Intermodal

Recent data reveals a mixed performance in the US rail freight market. Carload traffic saw a slight increase, but with significant structural divergence, with nonmetallic minerals outperforming while grains declined. Intermodal volume decreased, potentially due to cooling consumption and inventory adjustments. Year-to-date figures remain positive, but railway companies need to adapt to market changes and seize opportunities. The uneven performance highlights the need for strategic adjustments to navigate the evolving economic landscape and capitalize on growth areas within the rail freight sector.

01/21/2026 Logistics
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Building An Efficient Experience Supply Chain Moat For The New Consumption Era

Building An Efficient Experience Supply Chain Moat For The New Consumption Era

This article explores the channel transformations in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry in the new consumption era. It analyzes how brands cope with consumer-driven challenges and fragmented demands by building a dynamic supply chain fulfillment network for an omnichannel strategy. The case study of TingTong Logistics showcases its successful experiences in enhancing supply chain efficiency and user experience. It emphasizes the importance of leveraging digital transformation and AI technology to boost competitiveness.

07/24/2025 Logistics
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Feds Goolsbee Hints at Rate Cuts Amid Improving Inflation

Feds Goolsbee Hints at Rate Cuts Amid Improving Inflation

Fed official Goolsbee called the latest inflation data "encouraging," opening the door for future rate cuts. He emphasized the need to see sustained cooling in inflation and pointed out signs of cooling in the labor market. He did not rule out a rate cut as early as January and revealed his interest rate forecast is below the Fed's "dot plot" median. Analysts believe his remarks reflect a cautiously optimistic attitude within the Fed regarding the inflation outlook. Further data will be crucial in shaping the Fed's future policy decisions.

01/28/2026 International Settlement
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Amazon Sellers Struggle As Ecommerce Slowdown Hits

Amazon Sellers Struggle As Ecommerce Slowdown Hits

US furniture giant United Furniture collapsed, and European Eve Sleep went bankrupt. Amazon and Shopee are also implementing layoffs, signaling a cooling trend in cross-border e-commerce. This downturn presents challenges for sellers. They need to actively adapt and navigate these difficult times together to overcome the obstacles and weather the storm. Resilience and strategic adjustments are crucial for survival in this evolving landscape.

01/04/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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US Industrial Real Estate Shows Mixed Q2 Trends in Top Markets

US Industrial Real Estate Shows Mixed Q2 Trends in Top Markets

A Colliers report highlights the current state of the top 25 US industrial real estate markets. Supply is cooling down, and while demand is temporarily declining, long-term prospects remain optimistic. Rental rate growth is slowing, and vacancy rates are increasing. High interest rates and construction costs pose significant challenges. The market outlook is cautiously optimistic, requiring attention to structural shifts and evolving dynamics.

01/19/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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US Imports Drop for Third Month Signaling Global Trade Slowdown

US Imports Drop for Third Month Signaling Global Trade Slowdown

November US container imports decreased by 3.2% year-over-year, marking the third consecutive month of decline and falling below October's figures. This data potentially indicates cooling US consumer demand and global economic uncertainty. As a global trade indicator, the continued decline may signal challenges for the global economy, warranting close attention. The decreasing import volume suggests a weakening economic outlook and could foreshadow broader economic difficulties ahead.

01/07/2026 Logistics
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