Trucking Conditions Index moves higher

FTR said its Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) for June showed positive movement following a moderation over the previous two months.

At a reading of 7.64, the June index reflects an environment in which carriers are gaining market power but rates are struggling to keep up with cost inflation, FTR said. The index rose 1.9 points from May, yet April and May were substantially below the 8.35 average seen during Q1.

Details of the June TCI Index are found in the August issue of FTR’s Trucking Update, published July 31, 2014.

“The headline number of 4% for GDP growth in the second quarter is getting plenty of news but the real number for getting a sense of true demand in this economy is the final sales component of GDP - it stood at 2.3% in Q2, well above the -1% seen in Q1 but noticeably below the 3.5% it averaged during the second half of 2013,” said Jonathan Starks, director of transportation analysis. “Truck freight continues to show steady increases and the capacity situation is unlikely to loosen up any time soon. These good developments are partially offset by slower than expected growth in contract rates. Spot market rates are still elevated, although they have shown normal moderation during the summer months. We expect to see both spot and contract rates continue to rise as we get into the fall shipping season.”