TD Cowen Index Highlights Peak Season Freight Challenges

TD Cowen Index Highlights Peak Season Freight Challenges

The TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index indicates a challenging off-peak season and complex freight landscape. LTL pricing is rising due to Yellow's closure, while parcel discounts are increasing. The truckload market remains relatively stable. This index provides valuable insights for logistics decision-makers, highlighting the dynamic shifts in pricing and capacity across different transportation modes. It offers a comprehensive overview of the current freight environment, helping businesses navigate the complexities and optimize their supply chain strategies. The index serves as a crucial benchmark for understanding logistics performance.

01/15/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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TD Cowen Index Tracks Volatility in Trucking Parcel and LTL Markets

TD Cowen Index Tracks Volatility in Trucking Parcel and LTL Markets

The TD Cowen-AFS Freight Index indicates a weak but optimistic trucking market. The express sector is significantly impacted by pricing strategies. LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) pricing remains stable, but pricing discipline may be loosening. Despite soft demand, there are positive indicators emerging. The index serves as a valuable decision-making resource for participants in the freight market, providing insights into current conditions and potential future trends across various transportation modes.

01/15/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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AFS Cowen Launch Predictive Freight Index for Market Trends

AFS Cowen Launch Predictive Freight Index for Market Trends

Cowen, in partnership with AFS, has launched a forward-looking freight index designed to provide institutional clients with accurate pricing tools across LTL, TL, and parcel shipping. The index leverages AI and ML technologies to forecast future rates and incorporates macroeconomic factors. The inaugural report reveals key trends such as rising truckload rates and declining less-than-truckload (LTL) weights. This index offers valuable decision-making insights for the logistics industry by providing a data-driven perspective on anticipated freight market conditions and potential cost fluctuations.

01/15/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Cass Freight Index Shows October Demand Slump Amid Labor Strikes

Cass Freight Index Shows October Demand Slump Amid Labor Strikes

The Cass Freight Index reveals declines in both freight volume and expenditures in October, year-over-year and month-over-month, primarily due to weak demand and the UAW strike. Analysts suggest that private fleets' internal sourcing may lead to overall freight volume outperforming road transport. Looking ahead, economic conditions, geopolitical risks, and technological changes will continue to impact the freight market, requiring proactive responses from businesses.

01/21/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Rising Diesel Costs Strain Shippers Risk Supply Chain Disruptions

Rising Diesel Costs Strain Shippers Risk Supply Chain Disruptions

The FTR Shippers Conditions Index turned negative in August as surging diesel prices drove up freight rates, creating a more challenging market environment for shippers. The increase in fuel costs put significant pressure on shipper profitability and overall market conditions, negatively impacting their financial standing. This shift indicates a less favorable situation for shippers compared to previous months, highlighting the sensitivity of the freight industry to fluctuations in fuel prices.

01/19/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Baltic Dry Index Surge Signals Rising Global Freight Costs

Baltic Dry Index Surge Signals Rising Global Freight Costs

The surge in the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) is a result of multiple factors including global economic recovery, tight shipping capacity, and port congestion. It reflects new trends in global trade and indicates growing demand for commodities. Geopolitical risks and changes in trade policies also significantly impact freight rates. The BDI serves as a barometer of the global economy and warrants close attention. Its fluctuations provide insights into the health of international commerce and the interplay of supply and demand in the dry bulk shipping sector.

11/03/2025 Logistics Industry Insights
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Freight Index Predicts Weaker Peak Season As Markets Diverge

Freight Index Predicts Weaker Peak Season As Markets Diverge

The TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index report predicts a potentially weak peak season this year. Overcapacity in truckload is putting pressure on pricing, while the less-than-truckload (LTL) market shows steady progress. The parcel market is driven by e-commerce promotions but faces intense competition. Businesses should take a rational view of market changes and optimize their supply chain strategies. The report suggests that companies need to be prepared for a less robust peak season than in previous years and adjust their expectations accordingly.

01/19/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Freight Market Trends DAT Index Highlights Logistics Tech Shifts

Freight Market Trends DAT Index Highlights Logistics Tech Shifts

This paper delves into the DAT Truckload Volume Index (TVI), interpreting freight market dynamics and exploring the application of technologies like AI and automation in logistics. Through case studies, it showcases technology-enabled logistics practices and forecasts future port development trends. This provides businesses with strategic insights to address challenges and seize opportunities in the evolving logistics landscape. The analysis offers a valuable reference for optimizing supply chains and leveraging technological advancements in the freight industry.

01/21/2026 Logistics
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Cass Freight Index Reports Stable Truckload Rates in November

Cass Freight Index Reports Stable Truckload Rates in November

The Cass Truckload Linehaul Index tracks price fluctuations in the US truckload freight market. Recent data shows a slight decrease in November, but it's still up 8.5% year-over-year, indicating a robust market. The index excludes fuel surcharges, providing a more accurate reflection of market supply and demand. It offers shippers and carriers timely and reliable decision-making support, helping them optimize budgets, pricing, and negotiation strategies. This allows for better informed choices in a dynamic logistics environment.

01/21/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Rising Diesel Costs Weak Shipper Index Strain Freight Industry

Rising Diesel Costs Weak Shipper Index Strain Freight Industry

FTR's Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) fell into negative territory in August, the first time since October 2022. Surging diesel prices were a primary driver, compounded by labor shortages and aging equipment, creating significant challenges for shippers. The SCI indicates a less favorable environment for shippers. Recommendations for shippers include optimizing transportation networks, strengthening partnerships with carriers, and adopting advanced technologies to mitigate these pressures and improve efficiency in a volatile market.

01/18/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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