Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/442406
MDI, Equipment Rates Fall During Cold Weather Months Internet Truckstop's Market Demand Index saw a marked decline from October through mid-November, falling for five straight weeks before rebounding for four consecutive weeks of gains. Overall, the MDI dropped 8 percent in the period from Oct. 6 through Dec. 8. e MDI showed a mark of 18.34 on Dec. 8, compared to 19.89 on Oct. 6 e overall equipment rates dropped 2.2 percent during the period from Oct. 6 ($2.30) through Dec. 8 ($2.25). Equipment saw five weeks of decline during the period, but strong gains in late November as retail stores stocked up for the holidays. Flatbed rates fell 8.2 percent over the period, coming in at $2.14 Dec. 8, compared to a $2.33 mark on Oct. 6. Flatbed rates rose only once during the nine-week period, that a 1 percent gain from the previous week on Nov. 24. Reefer rates saw a strong showing, coming in at $2.49 for the Dec. 8 mark, a 3.7 percent increase over the Oct. 6 mark of $2.40. Reefer rates increased for six consecutive weeks from Oct. 27 through Dec. 8. Specialized rates came in flat, showing the same rates for Dec. 8 as it did on Oct. 6, coming in at $2.81. Specialized rates see- sawed throughout the period, raising on two consecutive weeks only once on Nov. 17 and Nov. 24. Van rates came in strong with a 7.6 percent increase from the $2.07 mark on Oct. 6 to the $2.24 rate Dec. 8. e period from Nov. 10 through Dec. 1 saw increases each week, thanks to the holiday influx of shipping. Lane rates show the sharp increase of rates for November, which is a normal seasonal phenomenon as retailers rush inventory to their stores. is is not a sign of sustained improvement in market strength as rates fell off starting Dec. 8 and continued through the holiday season. Trans4Cast is created through an alliance between Internet Truckstop® and FTR, combining truckstop.com's rich data with FTR's deep analytical expertise to create a standard for North American Truck Market insight. Transportation Economist Noël Perry compiles the weekly report, which is essential for making critical business decisions. For more information on Trans4Cast, please contact Roxanne Bullard at 1-800-203-2540 Ext. 6230. E Q U I P M E N T R AT E S M A R K E T D E M A N D I N D E X ( M D I ) Source: Internet Truckstop ® Trans4Cast Source: Internet Truckstop ® Trans4Cast ® Vo l . 9 , N o . 1 TRUCKSTOP.COM 5