William B. Cassidy | Jul 8, 2010 3:10PM GMT
The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story
TransCore index reflects reports of waning demand, slowing recovery
Truckload freight available on the spot market declined 11 percent in June from the previous month, according to TransCore's North American Freight Index.
The second consecutive month-to-month drop in the index is the latest sign that the economic recovery is slowing after an overheated peak in March and April.
The index, based on data from TransCore's DAT load-matching network, slipped 3.2 percent in May, after rising 25 and 44 percent month-to-month in April and March.
Freight volume was still 112 percent higher than a year ago, but year-over-year growth in the index contracted sharply from May and previous months.
From February through May, TransCore's index grew 245 percent year-over-year on average, as a surge in freight hit U.S. highways and tightened truck capacity.
But in June the index dipped below 2008 levels for the first time in four months.
TransCore blamed much of the 11 percent decrease on declining flatbed demand. Dry van and refrigerated loads were up 2 percent in June, the company said.
Overall, the second quarter saw strong gains in spot market freight, with freight availability 60 percent higher than first quarter volume, TransCore said.
The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story
TransCore index reflects reports of waning demand, slowing recovery
Truckload freight available on the spot market declined 11 percent in June from the previous month, according to TransCore's North American Freight Index.
The second consecutive month-to-month drop in the index is the latest sign that the economic recovery is slowing after an overheated peak in March and April.
The index, based on data from TransCore's DAT load-matching network, slipped 3.2 percent in May, after rising 25 and 44 percent month-to-month in April and March.
Freight volume was still 112 percent higher than a year ago, but year-over-year growth in the index contracted sharply from May and previous months.
From February through May, TransCore's index grew 245 percent year-over-year on average, as a surge in freight hit U.S. highways and tightened truck capacity.
But in June the index dipped below 2008 levels for the first time in four months.
TransCore blamed much of the 11 percent decrease on declining flatbed demand. Dry van and refrigerated loads were up 2 percent in June, the company said.
Overall, the second quarter saw strong gains in spot market freight, with freight availability 60 percent higher than first quarter volume, TransCore said.