US Rail Freight Volumes Rebound in Late September

US Rail Freight Volumes Rebound in Late September

The Association of American Railroads reported that U.S. rail carload and intermodal traffic both increased year-over-year in late September. Carload traffic saw a slight increase of 0.9%, while intermodal traffic rose by 1.1%. Increased shipments of nonmetallic minerals, grain, and motor vehicle parts were observed, while coal, petroleum, and metallic ores declined. Year-to-date, both cumulative carload and intermodal volumes have experienced growth, reflecting the resilience and potential recovery of the U.S. economy.

01/21/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Rises in Late September Led by Auto and Grain

US Rail Freight Rises in Late September Led by Auto and Grain

The Association of American Railroads reported that for the week ending September 27th, U.S. rail freight and intermodal traffic both experienced year-over-year growth. Significant increases were seen in the transportation of nonmetallic minerals, grain, and motor vehicles & parts. Conversely, coal, petroleum & petroleum products, and metallic ores & metals saw declines. For the first 39 weeks of 2025, both total U.S. rail freight traffic and intermodal volume have shown year-over-year growth, indicating a positive trend in the sector.

01/21/2026 Logistics
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Economist Matt Muenster Analyzes Freight Economy Challenges

Economist Matt Muenster Analyzes Freight Economy Challenges

Breakthrough Chief Economist Matt Muenster provides an in-depth analysis of the current complex freight economy, covering key elements such as tariffs, manufacturing, capacity, inflation, demand, and pricing. He emphasizes the integration of macroeconomics with micro-level practices, leveraging data-driven decision-making to build resilient freight systems. This approach helps businesses navigate uncertainty and capitalize on opportunities within the ever-evolving landscape.

01/21/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Freight Market Recession Worsens Cass Index Shows

Freight Market Recession Worsens Cass Index Shows

The latest Cass Freight Index report reveals a decline in both freight volume and expenditures in October, signaling a market downturn. Factors such as weakening demand, excess capacity, the rise of private fleets, and supply chain reshaping are creating challenges for logistics companies. To survive and thrive in this environment, businesses should focus on refined operations, diversified services, technological innovation, strategic partnerships, and risk management. These strategies will help them weather the storm and prepare for the eventual resurgence of the logistics industry.

01/21/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Cass Freight Index Reports October Decline Amid Weak Demand Strikes

Cass Freight Index Reports October Decline Amid Weak Demand Strikes

The Cass Freight Index report reveals a 9.5% year-over-year decrease in freight volume and a 23.3% year-over-year drop in expenditures for October. Weak demand, compounded by the United Auto Workers strike, contributed to these record lows. Analysts anticipate continued downward pressure on freight volume and rates in the short term. However, the impact of the strike may create the potential for a future rebound in freight activity as production resumes and backlogs are addressed.

01/21/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Freight Market Slows on Recession Worries Recovery Possible

Freight Market Slows on Recession Worries Recovery Possible

Bloomberg analyst Lee Klaskow noted in a webinar that the risk of a US recession is high, and the freight market has already entered a recession. Despite the challenges, a turnaround is expected in the second half of the year as capacity exits the market, seasonal demand rebounds, and inventory levels improve. Large, well-capitalized companies with diversified operations are likely to consolidate their positions during this market correction.

01/21/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Logistics Sector Rebounds Strongly in June 2025

Logistics Sector Rebounds Strongly in June 2025

The Logistics Manager Index for June 2025 continues to rise, reaching 60.7, indicating a strong recovery in the logistics industry after recent fluctuations. Significant increases in inventory levels and costs have driven the growth of the index, while there is a shrinking trend in warehousing and transportation capacity. Uncertainty regarding future demand and trade policies remains a challenge.

07/07/2025 Logistics Industry Insights
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