FTR | State of Freight

In this episode of FTR’s Rail Market Update, host Joseph Towers covers:

• STB's ruling of the UP-NS application as "incomplete"
• Weekly rail traffic

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 several key indicators of the industrial, consumer, and housing sectors of the economy and recap the week in 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 discuss payroll employment in trucking and for the overall U.S. economy. We also address residential construction and U.S. trade in goods. 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 

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In this episode Joseph Towers opens the year with a comprehensive review of full-year 2025 rail traffic, highlighting modest overall growth driven by grains and coal, continued softness in industrial commodities such as metals and forest products, and a largely flat outlook for motor vehicles heading into 2026. He then walks through the latest procedural developments surrounding the proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger, outlining what remains in the Surface Transportation Board review process and the likely timeline for a decision. The episode closes with an overview of the STB’s new proposal to eliminate Part 1144, a move aimed at easing access to reciprocal switching and increasing rail competition, setting up key regulatory and market themes to watch as 2026 unfolds.

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

 In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we discuss the changes in the for-hire trucking firm population in December and the number of heavy-duty truck orders during the month. We also review U.S. Gross Domestic Product for the third quarter and several indicators of the industrial sector. 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 

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In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review several metrics that suggest that trucking capacity has tightened, including stronger than seasonal performance for spot rates. We also discuss some key economic indicators, including retail sales, home sales, and consumer inflation. 

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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This episode of FTR’s Rail and Intermodal Update focuses on year-end trends in North American rail traffic, with Joseph Towers breaking down the latest carload and intermodal performance by commodity and carrier.  The podcast also addresses the growing uncertainty surrounding the proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger following public opposition from the Teamsters Rail Conference, setting the stage for what could be a challenging and consequential year ahead for the rail industry.

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

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review the latest data on payroll employment and wages in trucking and the employment situation for the U.S. economy as a whole. We also discuss trucking industry revenues for the third quarter and review a surge in business applications and distorted goods trade figures. 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

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we briefly discuss some recent safety enforcement moves and examine the change in the for-hire carrier population in November. We also review indicators related to the industrial and consumer sectors and to employment. Plus, we recap the week for diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight, both of which saw some big changes in the latest week.

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’s Rail and Intermodal Update delivers a concise look at rail traffic trends as the industry moves through a quiet holiday period with limited major news expected. Joseph Towers highlights the upcoming Midwest Association of Rail Shippers Winter Meeting and provides timely context on the delayed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger filing. The episode then breaks down the latest carload and intermodal performance, noting key commodity movements and carrier-level shifts across North America. 

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