--- title: "C-Suite Synopsis: Freight Transportation for November 2021" description: The economy sent mixed signals in September as consumer spending remained strong, but the industrial sector was weaker. image: https://today.ftrintel.com/hubfs/IntelCast_blurred-background-close-up-coffee-cup-908284.jpg --- ![](https://today.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IntelCast_blurred-background-close-up-coffee-cup-908284.jpg?width=2500&height=1669&name=IntelCast_blurred-background-close-up-coffee-cup-908284.jpg) trucking intermodal Rail # C-Suite Synopsis: Freight Transportation for November 2021 ![The FTR Experts](https://7528315.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528315/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-cms-elevate-theme_hubspot/elevate/images/avatar-placeholder.jpg?width=48&height=48&name=avatar-placeholder.jpg) The FTR Experts November 30, 2021 ## Headlines TRUCKING: Strengthening freight rates support a high floor on market conditions for carriers. RAILCAR: The 2021 carload outlook took another step down in the latest month and now sits at just over 5% compared with 2020.  INTERMODAL: International and domestic traffic each weakened in September as volumes are metered by providers.  SHIPPERS: Market conditions are stalled at a level unfavorable to shippers.  ## Summary The economy sent mixed signals in September as consumer spending remained strong, but the industrial sector was weaker. However, the lingering effects of Hurricane Ida played a major role in weaker industrial production. The other big hit was the ongoing semiconductor shortage, which once again led to a big drop in automotive output. • Payroll employment in October rose by a solid 531,000 jobs, and September figures were revised upward substantially. Employment remains 4.2 million jobs, or 2.8%, below February 2020, seasonally adjusted. The unemployment rate fell, but labor participation was unchanged. • Consumer spending was up 0.6% in September. Gains in services and goods were balanced for a change. Spending on non-durable goods moved higher while durable goods spending eased slightly. • Freight volumes remain constrained by supply chain disruptions, and those constraints are keeping freight rates high in all modes. ## Share this post [mailto:https%3A%2F%2Ftoday.ftrintel.com%2Fc-suite-synopsis-november-2021](mailto:https%3A%2F%2Ftoday.ftrintel.com%2Fc-suite-synopsis-november-2021) ## Keep reading [![](https://today.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Marketing%20Collateral/Blogs/Blog%20images/2026/July/_Class%208%20July%202026%20blog.png?width=1600&height=500&name=_Class%208%20July%202026%20blog.png) class 8 trucks forecasting ### Class 8 Orders Surge Again as Industry Nears 2026 Production Capacity ](https://today.ftrintel.com/class-8-july-2026) [![](https://today.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Marketing%20Collateral/Blogs/Blog%20images/2026/June/_RMU%20June%2026%202026%20blog.png?width=1600&height=500&name=_RMU%20June%2026%202026%20blog.png) intermodal carload Rail ### Rail Traffic Holds Steady While Intermodal Extends Its Winning Streak ](https://today.ftrintel.com/rmu-june-26-2026) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "The FTR Experts", "url" : "https://today.ftrintel.com/author/experts" }, "dateModified" : "2021-12-01T16:59:56.228Z", "datePublished" : "2021-11-30T19:45:00.000Z", "headline" : "C-Suite Synopsis: Freight Transportation for November 2021", "image" : [ "https://today.ftrintel.com/hubfs/IntelCast_blurred-background-close-up-coffee-cup-908284.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://today.ftrintel.com/c-suite-synopsis-november-2021", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://today.ftrintel.com/hubfs/FTR%20Logos%20and%20Icons/FTR_Logo_Primary_FullColor.png" }, "name" : "FTR | Transportation Intelligence" } } ```