Seasonal decline in load volume, rates continues

The number of refrigerated load posts dropped 3.1% while truck posts decreased 8.0%, pushing the national average reefer load-to-truck ratio down 5.3% to 4.1 loads per truck. The reefer market remains soft, which is reflected in the average spot market rate of $2.15 per mile, a 2-cent decline compared with the previous week. Flatbed load posts retreated 4.8% while truck posts slumped 16%. The load-to-truck ratio jumped 14% to 13.2 loads per truck—not a strong number for flatbeds—and the national average rate slipped a penny to $2.14 per mile. All reported rates include fuel surcharges. Notably, the national average price of diesel lost 6 cents to $2.72 the week ending July 25. Rates are derived from DAT RateView, which provides real-time reports on prevailing spot market and contract rates, as well as historical rate and capacity trends. Load-to-truck ratios represent the number of loads posted for every truck available on DAT load boards. The load-to-truck ratio is a sensitive, real-time indicator of the balance between spot market demand and capacity. Changes in the ratio often signal impending changes in rates. For complete national and regional reports on spot rates and demand, access www.dat.com/Trendlines.