In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review changes in the for-hire carrier population in October and discuss a key indicator of the health of the manufacturing sector. Plus, we recap the week in diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight. 

The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs and indicators yourself by downloading the presentation.

Download the PDF: https://ftrintel.com/trucking-podcast 

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In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review the limited economic indicators we have during the government shutdown, including figures on consumer inflation and sales of existing homes. Plus, we examine some surprising data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s drug and alcohol clearinghouse and recap the week in diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight as usual. 

The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs and indicators yourself by downloading the presentation.

Download the PDF: https://ftrintel.com/trucking-podcast 

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In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review the new tariffs that will be imposed on medium- and heavy-duty trucks as of November 1. Plus, we recap the latest week for mortgage rates, diesel prices, and the spot market for truck freight. 

The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs and indicators yourself by downloading the presentation.

Download the PDF: https://ftrintel.com/trucking-podcast 

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• New Mexican regulation: Requires GPS tracking (updating every 30 seconds) and large QR codes on all U.S. petroleum exports to Mexico transported by rail or truck. Railcars without GPS must comply within 30 days — a tight and challenging timeline.
•  QR code mandate: Took effect September 25, 2025, giving shippers only 20 business days to apply codes after receiving them from the government.
• Traffic Trends: Total North American rail traffic rose 0.3% YoY — carloads up 1.5%, intermodal down 0.8%.
• Commodity highlights: Gains in grain (+10%), non-metallic minerals (+9.7%), motor vehicles (+7.4%), petroleum (+5.5%), and chemicals (+4.1%). Declines in metallic ores/metals (−10.8%) and forest products (−5.6%).
• Intermodal trends: U.S. intermodal down 3.3% YoY; Canada up 0.8%; Mexico’s GMX up a striking 60.5%, marking its strongest volume of 2025.

 The Rail Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Senior Analyst, Rail, Joseph Towers.  As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs and indicators yourself by downloading the PDF of the presentation.

Download the PDF: https://www.ftrintel.com/rail-podcast 

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In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we examine English language proficiency violations since they became an out-of-service violation in June. Plus, we recap the week in diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight.  

The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs and indicators yourself by downloading the presentation.

Download the PDF: https://ftrintel.com/trucking-podcast 

Support the show

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we consider a few non-governmental economic indicators since that’s about all we have for now. Plus, we discuss the latest on truck tariffs and changes in the for-hire carrier population in September. Plus, we recap the week in diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight as usual. 

The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs and indicators yourself by downloading the presentation.

Download the PDF: https://ftrintel.com/trucking-podcast 

Support the show

This weeks Rail Market Update covers:

Leadership Shift at CSX: Joe Hinrichs departs, Steve Angel steps in as CEO, raising questions about future strategy.

STB in the Spotlight: Robert Primus files lawsuit over wrongful termination; operations slowed by the government shutdown.

Traffic Trends Mixed: Total North American rail traffic up slightly (+0.8%); intermodal growth (+2.2%) driven mainly by easy comparisons, while carloads (-0.6%) continue to struggle across most commodities.

Regional Highlights: CN leads Canada (+9.0%), GMXT in Mexico posts strongest week in years (+21.2%), while Union Pacific lags (-12.6%).

The Rail Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Senior Analyst, Rail, Joseph Towers.  As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs and indicators yourself by downloading the PDF of the presentation.

Download the PDF: https://www.ftrintel.com/rail-podcast

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In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review the latest data on home sales, international trade, consumer spending, and inventories. Plus, we discuss some major news out of Washington related to trucking and recap the week in diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight.

The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs and indicators yourself by downloading the presentation.

Download the PDF: https://ftrintel.com/trucking-podcast 

Support the show

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we dig into some key freight-related economic indicators, including manufacturing production, retail sales, and inventories. Plus, we recap the week in the spot market for truck freight as usual. 

The Trucking Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Vice President of Trucking, Avery Vise. As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs and indicators yourself by downloading the presentation.

Download the PDF: https://ftrintel.com/trucking-podcast 

Support the show

This week in the Rail Market Update:

• STB Developments: President Trump nominated Dick Closter to replace Marty Oberman on the Surface Transportation Board and renominated Michelle Schultz, while Robert Primus continues to contest his firing. These moves come as the STB prepares to weigh the proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern transcontinental merger. 
• Rail Traffic Trends: For the week ending September 13, North American rail traffic was down 0.9% y/y. Carloads declined in coal, forest products, and farm products (ex-grain), but chemicals and grains grew strongly. Intermodal fell 1.3%, largely due to weakness among U.S. western carriers. 
• Big Picture Outlook: Recent weeks show continued carload weakness (coal, forest products, metallic ores) but some rebounds in chemicals and grains. U.S. intermodal volumes have been flat to down, with the latest week at their weakest since June, tied to softer port activity in Los Angeles and Long Beach.

The Rail Market Update is hosted by FTR’s Senior Analyst, Rail, Joseph Towers.  As this information is presented, you are welcome to follow along and look at the graphs and indicators yourself by downloading the PDF of the presentation.

Download the PDF: https://www.ftrintel.com/rail-podcast

Support the show