The freight market saw a bounce in September, driven by truckload volumes, with Cass reporting a 2.5% increase in multimodal shipments. Shippers are consolidating smaller loads into full truckloads due to low rates. However, the outlook is uncertain due to tariffs impacting consumer spending.

Cass’ expenditures index rose 5.1% sequentially, marking the fifth y/y increase in six months. The TL linehaul index was up 1.7% sequentially, the largest y/y increase in three years. Immigration crackdown effects could tighten capacity. Analysts are trimming carrier earnings estimates for the third-quarter earnings season.

Equity analysts are trimming carrier earnings estimates for the third-quarter earnings season. Cass data comes from freight bills paid annually, totaling $36 billion. Class 8 tractor production forecast indicates lower capacity, potentially creating for-hire demand. The recovery timeline remains uncertain due to various factors affecting the freight market.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Cass reports ‘TL bounce,’ recovery timeline still uncertain