
March Brings Marginal Improvement to Shippers Conditions Index

FTR’s latest reading of its Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) shows a marginal improvement in March, rising from -0.3 in February to +0.1. While this keeps the index in essentially neutral territory, the shift reflects a nuanced balancing act in freight market dynamics.
A Mixed Market for Shippers
In March, shippers benefited from:
- Falling diesel prices, which eased operating costs
- Slightly reduced equipment utilization, offering more fluidity in freight movements
However, these positives were offset by:
- Stronger freight volumes, which added pressure
- Less favorable rates, reflecting tightening in some lanes
These countervailing forces left the overall freight environment relatively stable—but with warning signs on the horizon.
Expert Insight: Tariffs and Capacity Risks
Avery Vise, FTR’s vice president of trucking, noted:

This underscores a key theme: while the present may feel manageable, longer-term capacity risks are quietly building.
Context: What the SCI Measures
The Shippers Conditions Index evaluates four critical components:
- Freight demand
- Freight rates
- Fleet capacity
- Fuel prices
These are combined into a single score reflecting the relative favorability of the market for shippers. A positive index suggests improving or favorable conditions; a negative score flags challenges.
The latest FTR Shippers Update, released May 7, digs deeper into how tariffs may reshape the freight landscape—particularly whether they could help absorb surplus capacity.
Explore the Full SCI Report and Data Visuals:
📊 Access the latest SCI charts and data
Learn more at www.FTRintel.com, follow @FTRintel on X, and connect on LinkedIn.
Join us for Key Issues in Transportation, a complimentary mid-year webinar that delivers expert insights on how tariffs, capacity shifts, and rate trends are shaping the freight landscape across all modes. Whether you're moving goods by truck, rail, or intermodal, this session will help you stay ahead of change and plan smarter for what's next.