FTR | State of Freight

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review data on trade and wholesale inventories, discuss the latest developments on tariffs, and address the latest data from FMCSA’s drug and alcohol clearinghouse. 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 our Rail Market Update, Joseph talks about: 

• Biggest industry news: Proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger, potentially creating the first coast-to-coast Class I railroad since 1869, with insight into timelines and competitive possibilities.
• Rail traffic trends: Total North American volumes up 3.6% y/y; strong carload growth led by grain, autos, and coal, while intermodal gains remain modest.
• ARCI results: Q2 2025 railcar deliveries and orders both ticked higher, but the backlog fell to its lowest level since 2010, highlighting continued industry shifts.
• Conference connection: These topics and more will be explored in-depth at the FTR Transportation Conference in September.

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 payroll employment and population changes related to trucking and discuss other data on employment, trade, manufacturing, and consumption as well as economic data for Q2. 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 look at key indicators of the housing market and demand for manufactured products and we review some of the latest trade deals. Plus, we examine the latest data on pre-employment queries of the 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

This week, Joseph Towers discusses potential Class I mergers—Union Pacific with Norfolk Southern and BNSF with CSX—which could reshape U.S. rail but face steep regulatory hurdles. He also covers new U.S. trade moves with Japan and the EU.

Rail traffic rose 5.4% YoY, led by gains in grain, motor vehicles, and coal. Intermodal volumes are also up, especially for CSX and Canadian carriers. Year-to-date rail traffic is up 2.9%, driven by intermodal strength.

Plus, a reminder: the FTR Conference is just weeks away!

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 dig into some key indicators of the industrial, consumer, and housing sectors, including manufacturing output, retail sales, inventories, and residential construction. Plus, we recap the latest 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, we review another bit change in spot market rates. Also, we summarize the latest actions related to tariffs and address data on vehicle sales, wholesale inventories, and business applications. Plus, we recap the week in diesel prices.

 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 the July 10 episode of FTR’s Rail and Intermodal Update podcast with Joseph Towers:

🔺 Trade & Tariff Developments

🌏 Trade Realignment & Import Trends

🚢 Port Utilization Trends

🚆 Rail Traffic Update (Week Ending July 5, 2025)

🎧 Final Notes

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 the latest payroll employment and carrier population data related to for-hire trucking and discuss a big week for spot rates. Plus, we look at the broader labor market, dig more into the latest trade data, and recap the week in diesel prices 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 episode focuses on a flurry of pro-trucker policy actions from the Department of Transportation, including a national audit of non-domicile CDL practices, withdrawal of a speed limiter rule, and two new pilot programs that allow more flexible hours-of-service. FMCSA also committed to expanding truck parking, modernizing its complaint system, and cracking down on double brokering. On the data front, diesel prices declined after recent gains, while spot rates—especially for dry van and reefer—rose in late June. Avery Vise also analyzes housing market softness, a drop in consumer spending, mixed trade flows, and a surge in aircraft-driven durable goods orders. 

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