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In this episode of 10 Minute Takes, FTR CEO Jonathan Starks sat down with Mat Leo of C.H. Robinson, who works on market intelligence and academic research for one of the world’s largest logistics providers. Mat shared his outlook on freight markets, industry challenges, and why better forecasting and planning are more important than ever.
Key Takeaways from the Conversation:
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Spot rate outlook: C.H. Robinson projects roughly 2% increases in spot rates through late 2025 and into 2026—driven more by supply-side factors than demand growth. -
Oversupply keeps volatility muted: Potential shocks such as tariffs or regulatory changes haven’t had major impacts yet, largely because capacity remains imbalanced.
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No near-term demand catalyst: The next six months will likely remain soft, though lower Fed rates could stimulate housing and manufacturing demand later in 2026.
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Focus on forecasting: Mat’s team is researching market cycle changes and building predictive tools to help shippers and carriers prepare, even in uncertain times.
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Conference value: Beyond FTR’s data, Mat emphasized the importance of hearing from multiple perspectives at the conference to gain a more complete picture of industry challenges and opportunities.
As Mat summed it up, planning in an uncertain environment isn’t easy—but with the right intelligence and insights, companies can position themselves to adapt and thrive.
💡 Catch the full conversation to hear Mat’s perspective on market volatility, forecasting strategies, and what’s ahead for the freight economy.
Thanks for watching! We’ve really enjoyed these conversations with industry leaders and attendees throughout the conference. To catch all of the 10 Minute Takes podcasts from the event, visit www.ftrintel.com/connection.
