DAT Freight Index: Spot TL Freight Activity Signals Economic Growth

- Spot van freight activity jumps 16% compared to April; refrigerated freight volume up 19%  
- Van, refrigerated truckload rates higher in May and year over year; “freight recession is over”

Spot truckload freight availability in May reached its highest point since September 2015, increasing 7.3 percent compared to April and 63 percent year over year, reported DAT Solutions, which operates the industry's largest on-demand exchange for spot truckload freight.

PORTLAND, Ore., June 13, 2017 -- Spot truckload freight availability in May reached its highest point since September 2015, increasing 7.3 percent compared to April and 63 percent year over year, reported DAT Solutions, which operates the industry's largest on-demand exchange for spot truckload freight.

A steady increase in van and refrigerated (“reefer”) freight volume, combined with higher rates and load-to-truck ratios, are signs that “we are leaving the freight recession behind in the rearview mirror,” said Mark Montague, DAT industry pricing analyst.

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Van and refrigerated freight activity led the way in May, with van volume gaining 16 percent compared to April and reefer freight volume up 19 percent. This indicates higher demand for trucks to move dry goods and agricultural products before the start of the summer, Montague said. Flatbed activity slipped 2.4 percent month over month, in line with seasonal norms.

Total freight volumes beat prior-year comparisons for the tenth consecutive month. Compared to May 2016, van load availability jumped 86 percent, reefers increased 87 percent, and flatbeds added 56 percent.

Amid higher demand for truckload capacity, spot rates were higher for all three equipment types.

Average spot van and refrigerated rates both increased in May, with the van rate gaining 2 cents to $1.69 per mile compared to April and 15 cents year over year. The reefer rate was $2.02 per mile, an 8-cent increase compared to April and up 13 cents compared to May 2016.

The flatbed rate was $2.10 per mile, up 3 cents month over month and 8 cents year over year.

Rates continued to rise for all three trailer types in the first week of June. Montague expects van and reefer pricing and volume to be elevated through the Fourth of July weekend, when freight activity typically begins to taper off.

Reference rates are the averages, by equipment type, based on $33 billion of actual transactions between freight brokers and carriers, as recorded in DAT RateView. Reference rates per mile include fuel surcharges, but not accessorials or other fees. Beginning in January 2015, the DAT Freight Index was rebased so that 100 on the Index represents the average monthly volume in the year 2000. Additional trends and analysis are available at DAT Trendlines.

About DAT Solutions

DAT operates the largest truckload freight marketplace in North America. Transportation brokers, carriers, news organizations, and industry analysts rely on DAT for market trends and data insights derived from 141 million forecasted freight matches in 2017, and a database of $33 billion of market transactions. Related services include a comprehensive directory of companies with business history, credit, safety, insurance, and company reviews; broker transportation management software; authority, fuel tax, mileage, vehicle licensing, and registration services; and carrier onboarding. Founded in 1978, DAT Solutions LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Roper Technologies (NYSE:ROP), a diversified technology company and constituent of the S&P 500, Fortune 1000, and Russell 1000 indices. DAT.com

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