Shippers Conditions Index for October at Neutral Reading Ahead of Expected Negative Measures in 2017
12.21.16 | FTR

FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for October sits at a neutral reading of 0.4. This is a pause before the index begins an expected decline in 2017, with the implementation of capacity-constraining regulations and an uptick in shipping rates as the economy strengthens. Shippers can expect a couple more months of neutral market conditions before an extended plunge in the metric that could last into 2019.
The Shippers Conditions Index 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 conditions for shippers are approaching critical levels, based on available capacity and expected costs. The December issue of FTR’s Shippers Update published December 6, 2016, details the factors affecting the October Shippers Conditions Index, along with the commentary: Data, Forecasts, and Uncertainty - Lessons from the Election..
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Shippers likely won’t be impacted well into 2017. Contract rates are still low and higher movement in this arena isn’t likely until after the winter bid season. I wouldn’t expect to see any significant improvement in contract rates until the latter half of 2017. The main reason is that the real capacity issues stem from the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) implementation that is scheduled for the end of 2017.”

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.
For more information about how to subscribe to the Shippers Update, send an e-mail to [email protected] or call Helen Lile at (888) 988-1699 ext. 1.
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