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.
In March, shippers benefited from:
However, these positives were offset by:
These countervailing forces left the overall freight environment relatively stable—but with warning signs on the horizon.
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.
The Shippers Conditions Index evaluates four critical components:
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
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