ACT Research released the August installment of the ACT Freight Forecast, U.S. Rate and Volume OUTLOOK report. This monthly 56-page freight forecast report provides three-year forecasts for volumes and contract rates for the truckload, less-than-truckload and intermodal sectors of the transportation industry. For the truckload spot market, the report forecasts rates for the next 12 to 15 months, and this month introduced a forecast for Q3/21. The forecast provides detail on the freight rate outlook, helping companies across the supply chain plan their business.
“A freight recovery amidst a driver shortage has driven an acutely tight truckload market, with spot rate measures up 30% y/y,” Tim Denoyer, vice president and senior analyst for ACT Research, said. “Looking forward, we now see a new phase of the pandemic, with tightness easing as stimulus benefits fade. The spike in used truck sales shows that process underway.
“Our Spot Leading Indicator, a survey-based measure of the direction of rates, is now consistent with 30% y/y increases in spot rates, but with latent equipment capacity and additional stimulus looking unlikely, a peak seems near. While the path ahead includes puts and takes, we see medium-term freight rate trends moving higher on tighter supply and recovering demand.”