Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/620616
MDI Rates Steadily Decline T ruckstop.com's Market Demand Index saw a steady decline for the nine week period from Oct. 5 through Dec. 7. The MDI started the period at 11.55, but declined to a low of 8.3 on Nov. 16 before rebounding in the final three weeks of the period to reach a point of 10.87 Dec. 7. Load availability saw declines in six of the nine weeks, fall continuously in the first three weeks of the period before seeing a slight increase Oct. 24 through Oct. 30. Load availability seemed to break the slump in the final two weeks of the period, jumping 31.4 percent Nov. 21 through Nov. 27, then surging more than 65 percent Nov. 28 through Dec. 4. Truck availability surged 46.4 percent in the final week of the nine-week period, after falling 35.08 percent just the week before. Truck availability rose in five of the nine weeks, offsetting declines in the other four weeks. Overall rates fell off 8 cents during the period, coming in at $1.88 for Nov. 28 through Dec. 4. Rates surged in the week of Nov. 21 through Nov. 27 climbing 4 cents, before falling off 5 cents in the final week. Flatbed rates saw a steady decline during the nine-week period, dropping from $1.97 on Oct. 5 to $1.83 Dec. 4. Reefer rates took substantial upticks in the seventh and eighth weeks of the period, climbing 8 and 12 cents each week, respectively, before dropping off 13 cents in the final week to $2. Reefer rates reached their peak on Nov. 27 at $2.13, while hitting its low of $1.91 on Oct. 16. Specialized rates dropped significantly in the first few weeks of the period, falling from $2.56 Oct. 5 to $2.37 on Oct. 23. After an 11-cent surge the next week, specialized rates continued to fall off, reaching a low of $2.32 Nov. 13 and finishing the period at $2.36. Van rates also dropped early in the period, falling from $1.73 Oct. 5 and dropping to $1.64 Oct. 23, before starting a slow and steady increase to the period's end. Van rates rose to a high of $1.86 Nov. 27 before settling back at $1.81 Dec. 4. Diesel fuel saw a slight surge early in the period, rising to a high of $2.55 on Oct. 16 and dropping off to its lowest point of $2.43 Dec. 4. All-grades fuel also fell throughout the period, starting at a rate of $2.42 Oct. 5 and dropping off to $2.16 Dec. 4. Trans4Cast is created through an alliance between Truckstop.com 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: Truckstop.com Trans4Cast Source: Truckstop.com Trans4Cast ™ Powered by Truckstop.com & FTR Vo l . 1 0 , N o . 1 TRUCKSTOP.COM 5