Updated on January 8, 2026
This State of the Industry report aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the transportation logistics industry, shedding light on its key drivers, trends, and emerging technologies. By examining the current landscape and forecasting future developments, we seek to equip decision-makers, industry professionals, and stakeholders with valuable insights to navigate the ever-evolving logistics landscape.
With the world becoming increasingly interconnected, the transportation logistics industry faces both immense opportunities and unprecedented challenges. Globalization, e-commerce, and advancements in technology have sparked a seismic shift in consumer expectations, supply chain strategies, and sustainability concerns.
Highlights for the general freight report include:
- Truckload market tightened sharply post-Thanksgiving with spot rates and tender rejections climbing rapidly.
- Reefer and dry van tightened more than last year; flatbed is relatively flat y/y with the least amount of volatility.
- Rejection rates are 2-3 percentage points higher y/y. Spot rates are up close to 9% y/y in aggregate.
- Intermodal volume is up slightly Q4 YoY, fueled by strong service and rate spread vs. truckload.
- Manufacturing remains in contraction (ISM PMI 48.2 in Nov) due to uncertainty and commodity inflation.
- Fed cut rates again due to labor market weakness (unemployment at 4.6%).
- Housing market data remains limited but in a slow recovery, still down y/y.
- Truckload market lacks economic support from a demand perspective to call a sustained flip, but the supply conditions are thin and getting thinner.
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