FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index for April in Soft Negative Range Despite Tightening Capacity
07.10.17 | FTR

FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for April, as detailed in the June issue of the Shippers Update, fell from the previous month to a reading of -3.6. The modest deterioration of this index, leaving it in a soft negative range in spite of tightening capacity utilization, reflects the ability of shippers to so far fend off any pricing increases from their contract carriers. Currently, FTR is forecasting the index to fall a little more through the year as capacity tightens further from an expected consumer bounce back after an anemic Q1. However, it is not expected to fall into double digit negative range at any time during the forecasted period.
The SCI is a compilation of factors affecting the shippers transport environment. Any reading below zero indicates a less-than-ideal environment for shippers. Readings below -10 signal that conditions for shippers are approaching critical levels, based on available capacity and expected costs. The June issue of FTR’s Shippers Update, published June 10, details the factors affecting the April Shippers Conditions Index, along with discussion about current freight rates and why they are not rising in tandem with tight capacity utilization as can generally be anticipated.
Click here to view the latest release and an interactive graph of the SCI>

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The Shippers Update has both history and forecasts for four modal options: truckload, less-than-truckload, intermodal and rail carload. The analysis includes the breakdown of total truck and rail volumes into major commodity segments. It also provides historical snapshots of inland water and air freight markets. The freight data is augmented by an abundant collection of supporting data covering macro-economics and the fuel market.
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About FTR
For more than two decades, FTR has been the thought leader in freight transportation forecasting in North America. The company’s national award-winning forecasters collect and analyze all data likely to impact freight movement, issuing consistently reliable reports for trucking, rail, and intermodal transportation, as well as providing demand analysis for commercial vehicle and railcar. FTR’s forecasting and specially designed reports have resulted in advanced planning and cost-savings for companies throughout the transportation sector.
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