FTR | State of Freight

30 Episodes
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By: FTR

State of Freight is a series of industry resources from FTR, the leader in market intelligence and forecasting for the North American freight transportation industry. FTR podcasts provide updates for the Trucking and Rail markets, as well as the broader economy. Each podcast includes a slide deck of graphs that can be used in presentations or for internal analysis. For show downloads and to signup for more State of Freight content, go to www.FTRintel.com/podcast.

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Trucking Market Update - Week Beginning June 22, 2026
#370
Last Tuesday at 4:00 PM

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review notable changes in the spot market for truck freight and for diesel prices and discuss key economic indicators related to the housing and consumer sectors.

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


Trucking Market Update - Week Beginning June 15, 2026
#369
06/16/2026

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we discuss a development related to the recent Supreme Court decision regarding broker liability and review a host of economic indicators related to the industrial, consumer, and housing sectors. Plus, we recap the week for 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.


Rail Market Update - Week ending June 12, 2026
#269
06/12/2026

In this episode of FTR’s Rail Market Update, host Joseph Towers covers:

 Richard Kloster sworn in to the STBWeekly rail traffic

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


Trucking Market Update - Week Beginning June 8, 2026
#368
06/09/2026

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we examine payroll employment for trucking and the broader economy. Plus, we recap the 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


Trucking Market Update - Week Beginning June 1, 2026
#367
06/02/2026

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we look at some notable moves in diesel prices and in the spot market for truck freight. We also examine several key indicators of activity in manufacturing, consumption, housing, and international trade. 

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...


Rail Market Update - Week ending May 29, 2025
#268
05/29/2026

In this episode of FTR’s Rail Market Update, host Joseph Towers covers:

 STB accepts revised UPNS merger application as “Complete”.Procedural merger timeline delayed until certain deficiencies are remedied by Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern.Update on weekly rail traffic 

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

Suppor...


Trucking Market Update - Week Beginning May 25, 2026
#366
05/28/2026

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review another strong week in the spot market for truck freight and recap the latest on diesel and crude prices. Plus, we discuss the House highway bill, trucking revenues in the first quarter, and residential construction in April.

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...


Trucking Market Update - Week Beginning May 18, 2026
#365
05/19/2026

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we discuss a record-setting week in the spot market for truck freight and in pricing for trucking services in April and briefly recap some notable developments in Washington. Plus, we recap the week in diesel and crude prices and address several key economic indicators, including manufacturing output, retail sales, consumer inflation, and inventories.

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 indica...


Rail Market Update - Week ending May 15, 2026
#267
05/15/2026

In this episode of FTR’s Rail Market Update, host Joseph Towers covers:

Responses to the UP-NS merger applicationDick Kloster’s road to the STBWeekly rail traffic 

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


Trucking Market Update - Week Beginning May 11, 2026
#364
05/12/2026

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review a notable shift in the trucking industry’s payroll employment in April. We also recap the latest data on diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight and discuss various indicators related to employment, housing and non-residential construction. 

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: http...


Trucking Market Update - Week Beginning May 4, 2026
#363
05/05/2026

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we recap the week for diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight and review some key indicators of the industrial, consumer, housing, and international trade sectors. Plus, we discuss changes in the for-hire carrier population in April, the number of Class 8 truck orders during the month, and Gross Domestic Product for the first quarter.

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 gr...


Rail Market Update - Week ending May
#266
05/01/2026

In this episode of FTR’s Rail Market Update, host Joseph Towers covers:

 Updated Section 232 tariffsWeekly rail trafficUpdated UP-NS merger application 

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


Trucking Market Update - Week Beginning April 27, 2026
#362
04/29/2026

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review a record-setting week in the spot market for truck freight and recap the week in diesel prices and petroleum as usual. Plus, we look at retail sales for March and at inventories for February. 

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/truckin...


Trucking Market Update - Week Beginning April 20, 2026
#361
04/22/2026

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we discuss a couple of notable changes in Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulatory and enforcement policy, one of which could make a difference in the driver population. We also address data from the industrial sector and recap the latest changes in diesel and crude prices and in 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 in...


Trucking Market Update - Week Beginning April 13, 2026
#360
04/14/2026

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review the latest data on diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight. Plus, we dig into several notable economic indicators for the consumer, industrial, and housing sectors. 

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


Trucking Market Update - Week Beginning April 6, 2026
#359
04/07/2026

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review the continued surge in both diesel prices and spot rates and discuss some key metrics related to capacity, including payroll employment in trucking and orders for Class 8 trucks. We also address several key economic indicators related to employment, manufacturing, consumption, and trade. 

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.

Downloa...


Trucking Market Update - Week Beginning March 30, 2026
#358
03/31/2026

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we recap the week in diesel and crude prices and in the spot market for truck freight. We also review the latest data on new applications for trucking authority and discuss nonresidential construction in January.

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 


Trucking Market Update - Week Beginning March 23, 2026
#357
03/24/2026

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we revisit diesel and crude prices and related changes in the spot market for truck freight. We also address sales of new homes, pricing at the producer level, inventories and sales in the wholesale sector, and changes in nonresidential construction. Plus, we review legislation approved last week by the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.

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 indica...


Rail Market Update - Week ending March 20, 2026
#265
03/20/2026

In this episode of FTR’s Rail Market Update, host Joseph Towers covers:

The impact of Iran on rail trafficContainer activity at the Port of Los AngelesWeekly traffic update  

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


Trucking Market Update - Week Beginning March 16, 2026
#356
03/17/2026

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we revisit diesel prices after the previous week’s record surge, and we consider what that increase meant for the spot market for truck freight. We also review some key indicators of the industrial, consumer, and housing sectors.

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...


Trucking Market Update - Week Beginning March 9, 2026
#355
03/10/2026

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we discuss the largest one-week spike in diesel prices in history and address the latest data on payroll employment, retail sales, and a few other metrics, along with the latest week in 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://ftrinte...


Rail Market Update - Week ending March 6, 2026
#264
03/06/2026

In this episode of FTR’s Rail Market Update, host Joseph Towers covers:

The Supreme Courts decision and implications to railWeekly rail traffic  

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


Trucking Market Update - Week Beginning March 2, 2026
#354
03/04/2026

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review changes in the for-hire carrier population during February and consider what’s going on with diesel prices and the spot market for truck freight. We also review pricing in January for freight transportation services and for truck equipment, namely trailers.

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:


Trucking Market Update - Week Beginning February 23, 2026
#353
02/24/2026

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we discuss revenues for the trucking industry in the fourth quarter of last year and for all of 2025. We also review economic growth in the fourth quarter and examine key economic indicators related to the industrial, consumer, housing, and trade sectors. 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 a...


Rail Market Update - Week ending February 20, 2026
#263
02/20/2026

In this episode of FTR’s Rail Market Update, host Joseph Towers covers:

UP-NS merger update Port of Los Angeles container data Weekly rail traffic 

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


Trucking Market Update - Week Beginning February 16, 2026
#352
02/17/2026

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we dig into the latest payroll employment data on trucking, including substantial data revisions that change our view of capacity in the market. We also discuss a final rule on non-domiciled CDLs and review economic indicators related to consumer spending, inflation, and business formation, and we recap the week in spot rates 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...


Trucking Market Update - Week Beginning February 9, 2026
#351
02/10/2026

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review some developments related to the English language proficiency requirement and discuss several other topics specific to the trucking industry, including overall market conditions, equipment demand, and data from the drug and alcohol clearinghouse. Plus, we discuss a key indicator of the manufacturing sector recap the 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...


Rail Market Update - Week ending February 6, 2026
#262
02/06/2026

In this episode of FTR’s Rail Market Update, host Joseph Towers covers:

Weekly rail trafficBreaking down the latest ARCI report

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


Trucking Market Update - Week Beginning February 2, 2026
#350
02/03/2026

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we discuss a huge week in the spot market for truck freight. We also review U.S. trade in goods, pricing at the producer level, inventories and sales in the wholesale sector, and diesel prices in the latest week.

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...


Trucking Market Update - Week Beginning January 26, 2026
#349
01/27/2026

In this week’s episode of FTR’s Trucking Market Update podcast, we review indicators of manufacturing demand, consumer spending and pricing, vehicle sales, construction spending, and establishments of new businesses. 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/trucki...