Truck tonnage

Earnings season is upon us and the freight recession lingers worse than salmonella-carrying potato salad at a tailgate party. Wisconsin-based truckload carrier Martin Transport reported its Q1 2023 earnings Tuesday. While operating revenue improved 3.7% from $287.3 million in Q1 2022 to $298 million this year, the actual operating income declined from $35.9 million to $29 million.

The American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index increased 2.8% in August after a disappointing 1.5% drop in July. The ATA data primarily relates to contracted freight tonnage volumes and is a useful indicator of shipping activity.

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For-hire truck tonnage posted its best yearly growth since 1998, but a decline in ATA’s Index at the end of the year indicated some softening.

Truck tonnage rose for the second consecutive month in May, as improving economic conditions and gains in hiring have helped trucking performance.

ATA’s Truck Tonnage Index has risen by 2.2% this month after a minor dip in March, and is 9.5% higher year-on-year, indicating a surging freight market.

Truck tonnage fell for the second consecutive month despite generally solid economic conditions. Responses from survey data suggests that the freight is out there, but capacity is preventing tonnage growth

The ATA’s truck tonnage index fell 2.6% in February, and evidence from rail traffic data suggests that shippers are shifting modes for some freight

Data from the Institute of Supply Management shows that manufacturing activity remains robust in the economy, which has historically meant strong demand for trucking

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