In August, the U.S. added 142,000 payroll jobs, and the unemployment rate eased to 4.2%. Despite this, job openings hit their lowest level since January 2021, and the ISM manufacturing index remained in contraction. Auto and light truck sales declined, while mortgage rates held steady. Diesel prices fell for the eighth consecutive week, although trucking employment continued to decline slightly. Conversely, van spot rates increased heading into Labor Day. Rail carloads rose year-over-year for the first time since June, and East/Gulf Coast ports moved closer to a strike.