FTR | State of Freight

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review some indicators of the industrial and consumer sectors and pricing for freight transportation services and selected trucking cost centers. 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 examine payroll employment in trucking and broader economic and review indicators on housing and trade. We also discuss an annual revision of industrial production figures that show a significantly different picture of the manufacturing sector than we had before this week. 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 discuss court action last week blocking a new rule regarding non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses 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 today’s episode, Joseph Towers recaps key takeaways from FTR’s recent Houston events and breaks down the latest railcar and intermodal trends. He highlights weak new car orders, declining backlogs, and a softer outlook for builders heading into 2026, then shifts to intermodal with October’s sharp TEU declines at the Port of Long Beach and muted U.S. rail traffic. Despite broad softness—especially in automotive—he notes a few bright spots in chemicals, petroleum, and nonmetallic minerals before closing with an invite for listeners to reach out with questions. 

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 examine data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regarding the drug and alcohol clearinghouse and enforcement of the English language proficiency requirement for drivers. Plus, we look at non-governmental data on private-sector employment in October 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 

Support the show

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 

Support the show

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 

Support the show

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 

Support the show

• 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 

Support the show

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