--- title: State of Freight TODAY | July 2020 description: Oil prices, chemicals markets, and your questions on key issues in transportation are featured in this month's State of Freight TODAY. image: https://freight.ftrintel.com/hubfs/FTR_SOFtoday_Banner-01-1.jpg --- [![FTR_Logo_Primary_DarkBackground-4](https://freight.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/FTR_Logo_Primary_DarkBackground-4.png?width=400&height=111&name=FTR_Logo_Primary_DarkBackground-4.png "FTR_Logo_Primary_DarkBackground-4")](https://www.ftrintel.com) [![FTR State of Freight TODAY](https://freight.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/FTR_Hubspot_LP_Template_Headers_SOF_TODAY.jpg?width=1100&height=258&name=FTR_Hubspot_LP_Template_Headers_SOF_TODAY.jpg "FTR State of Freight TODAY")](https://freight.ftrintel.com/softoday) # July Commentaries   | ![Oil Prices 2020](https://freight.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-07-28%20at%204.19.31%20PM.png?width=223&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-07-28%20at%204.19.31%20PM.png)   | **Oil prices have firmed. But for how long?** *By Steve Graham, FTR Partner* Oil prices have recovered in recent weeks despite the slow global economic recovery. This article provides an overview and insights into demand vs sentiment, production cuts, and outlines the long road to normalization. | | --- | --- |   | ![Chemiicals Tonmiles Outlook 2020](https://freight.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-07-28%20at%204.21.39%20PM.png?width=223&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-07-28%20at%204.21.39%20PM.png)   | **Chemicals Markets Assessment** *State of Freight Insights* Chemicals are derived of basic chemicals (organic and inorganic), fertilizers, plastics, coatings, cleaners, and pharmaceuticals. Because of the high degree of internal movements, the analysis of transportation is very complicated. | | --- | --- |   | ![Transportation Q&A](https://freight.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-07-13%20at%204.24.58%20PM.png?width=224&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-07-13%20at%204.24.58%20PM.png)   | **Key Issues in Transportation Q&A** *The FTR Experts* Following our annual Key Issues in Transportation webinar, the FTR Experts took additional time to go through all of the Q&A we received. Read the responses to these questions in this article. **Topics covered in the Q&A:** - Q1: Trucking & Intermodal - Q2: Automotive Market, Rail, & Equipment - Q3: Canadian Grain Movements - Q4: Trucking, Overcapacity, & Payroll Protection Program - Q5: Consumer vs Industrial Products in Intermodal - Q6: Rail Carload Volumes - Q7: Railcar Utilization - Q8: Truck Volumes & Demand Forecasting Methodology - Q9: Refrigerated Trucking - Q10: Trucking Length of Haul & eCommerce - Q11: Dakota Access Pipeline & Rail - Q12: Intermodal Competitive Index | | --- | --- | *Complete the form to the right to download these commentaries.*       | # Conditions Indices & Equipment Orders | | --- | | #### **FTR’s May Trucking Conditions Index Bounces Back Sharply from April Low But Still Negative ** | | --- | | [![Trucking Conditions Index](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vQR6mxECxf1fwbxfbtgKJb7nn5bXSiaVH_Nx9XVngkdrFCvDU8HPXszrduAw5IwXqAFspP8Z1NCvjm2/pubchart?oid=2&format=image)](https://ftrintel.com/news/latest-tci/index.php) | FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index reading for April was the lowest ever at -28.66, reflecting the contraction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The previous low was -16.08 in September 2008. The only significant positive factor for the TCI was the cost of fuel; demand, utilization, and rates were extremely negative. [View full article >](https://ftrintel.com/news/latest-tci/index.php) | | --- | --- |   | #### **FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index for May Falls Sharply M/M but Remains Historically High ** | | --- | | [![](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTVk0U5Ew2vVbsN7LEoPzScu4i611o7-ikUs9l3AhNy-YbAySO3NNMlgV2IVNMqagNoDgxYNjUZFnUF/pubchart?oid=2&format=image)](https://ftrintel.com/news/latest-sci/index.php) | FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for May fell sharply to 24.8 from the extraordinarily high pandemic-impacted 41.3 April reading. While not nearly as positive as April, May’s SCI was still the second highest on record. All inputs to the measure were weaker in May than April, but all remained positive, especially capacity utilization and rates. From May onward, the SCI should stabilize at a high single-digit positive measure throughout the year. However, a tightening of the trucking spot market in June may foreshadow less robust conditions for shippers in the near term. [View full article > ](https://ftrintel.com/news/latest-sci/index.php) | | --- | --- |     | #### **FTR Reports Final Trailer Orders Rose Significantly in June to 14,400 units** | | --- | | ![](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/1/d/1vZpDUZMnRYbACEJUbsUS8b3UAIT6_VITbtwQpa100Xw/embed/oimg?oid=2&zx=dox60nxzjh5y) | FTR reports final net U.S. trailer orders for June rose significantly to 14,400 units. This was 10,000 units above May and up 9,000 units y/y. Trailer orders rebounded after two sluggish months, with June being the second-highest monthly total this year. Trailer orders for the past twelve months total 164,000. The June increase was boosted by a recovery in the dry van market, supplemented by decent refrigerated van orders. Flatbed orders remain lethargic. Even though June activity was much improved, there is still too much uncertainty about the pandemic for fleets to have the confidence to order in large quantities. Backlogs continue to fall but are sufficient to support current production in the van segments, while flatbed producers continue to scramble for orders to build in Q4. [View full article >](https://ftrintel.com/news/latest-orders/index.php)   | | --- | --- |   | #### **FTR Reports Preliminary North American Class 8 Net Orders for June Rebound to 15,500 Units ** | | --- | | ![](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/1/d/1PgN6sg12o4aL47JkGIFrA1AqwNtnSbwC374MKUyj-3A/embed/oimg?oid=1&zx=2ph8ej8maauh) | FTR reports preliminary North American Class 8 net orders rebounded in June to 15,500 units, up 130% from May, as well as, up y/y by 20%. Class 8 net orders for the last twelve months now total 158,000 units. Fleets’ confidence is improving gradually, as the economy and freight markets recover from the pandemic-related restrictions. The June order volume may not be sustainable in July, however, because some of the larger fleet orders may be difficult to replicate in the short term. Order volume should exceed the 10,000-unit mark throughout the summer as freight volumes continue to improve. [View full article >](https://ftrintel.com/news/latest-tr-orders/index.php) | | --- | --- |     | # Latest Industry News with Intelligence from FTR | | --- | FTR in the News [  Gains in Shippers Conditions Index are expected to be short-lived, says FTR transportation consultancy FTR reported this week that the most recent edition of its Shippers... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 17 hours ago ](https://www.logisticsmgmt.com/article/gains_in_shippers_conditions_index_are_expected_to_be_short_lived_says_ftr/motorfreight)   [  Q2 GDP reading is a hard story to tell Tweet from Jonathan Starks, an analyst/forecaster for heavy-freight and truck equipment markets at freight... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 1 day ago ](https://www.logisticsmgmt.com/article/q2_gdp_reading_is_a_hard_story_to_tell/blogs)   [  March air cargo data shows severe capacity shortfall 19-related disruptions,” Todd Tranausky, vice president of rail and intermodal at FTR, said. “The one positive... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 1 day ago ](https://www.dcvelocity.com/articles/45893-march-air-cargo-data-shows-severe-capacity-shortfall)   [  HDMA Hosting Webinar Series on Impacts of Coronavirus on Commercial Vehicle Industry of FTR, will join Richard Anderson, Director of Market Research & Analysis of HDMA, to discuss key issues impacting the... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 2 days ago ](https://www.oemoffhighway.com/market-analysis/industry-news/news/21130615/hdma-hosting-webinar-series-on-impacts-of-coronavirus-on-commercial-vehicle-industry)   [  Once recession-proof, US trucking is squeezed by coronavirus even lose some sizable motor carriers as well as numerous small carriers," Avery Vise, FTR's vice... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 4 days ago ](https://www.aljazeera.com/ajimpact/recession-proof-trucking-squeezed-coronavirus-200425222819166.html)   [  As unemployment tops Great Recession, the COVID economy looks bleak like the rest of the economy — has never seen such an abrupt deterioration,” noted Avery Vise, vice president of... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 6 days ago ](https://www.fleetowner.com/covid-19-coverage/article/21129579/as-unemployment-tops-great-recession-the-covid-economy-looks-bleak)   [  Truckers face coronavirus checkpoints and widespread disruption President, Trucking for FTR Transportation Intelligence, which provides forecasting and market analysis for... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 7 days ago ](https://thehill.com/changing-america/sustainability/infrastructure/494493-truckers-face-coronavirus-checkpoints-and)   [  Experts’ Pessimism Deepens Over Economy’s Health primary driver of this weakness.” Costello’s forecast is in line with the latest revised projections from FTR Intel,... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 7 days ago ](https://www.ttnews.com/articles/experts-pessimism-deepens-over-economys-health)   [  FTR: Spot load volume added to interactive COVID-19 Impact Heatmap , shippers, and brokers have not gone away, but market conditions have changed sharply over the past several weeks,” said... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 7 days ago ](https://www.fleetowner.com/covid-19-coverage/article/21129534/ftr-spot-load-volume-added-to-interactive-covid19-impact-heatmap)   [  News / US intermodal sector braces for lasting pain as traffic numbers plumb new depths like the rest of the economy – has never seen such an abrupt deterioration,” said Avery Vise, vice-president of... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 22nd Apr 2020 ](https://theloadstar.com/us-intermodal-sector-braces-for-lasting-pain-as-traffic-numbers-plumb-new-depths/)   [  Rates&Lanes with Rico Muhammad and Chuck Snow VP OF analytics for FTR & Associates Avery Vise is joining us again to discuss what is happening in the freight... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 21st Apr 2020 ](http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rates/2020/04/21/rateslanes-with-rico-muhammad-and-chuck-snow)   [  Coronavirus: Truck and trailer orders a looming a pivotal indicator; insurers offer small carriers flexibility a bleak outlook for truck freight activity has turned a little bleaker. Forecasting firm FTR on Thursday revised its... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 21st Apr 2020 ](https://www.ccjdigital.com/coronavirus-truck-and-trailer-orders-freight-outlook-insurance/)   [  FTR’s TCI reading slows but still shows growth; future growth is in doubt that period of time in a year, according to FTR. But Avery Vise, FTR Vice President of Trucking,... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 20th Apr 2020 ](https://www.logisticsmgmt.com/article/ftrs_tci_reading_slows_but_still_shows_growth_future_growth_is_in_doubt/motorfreight)   [  FTR: February likely last positive month this year for Trucking Conditions Index due to the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to the worst overall trucking conditions on record during the second quarter of this year,... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 20th Apr 2020 ](https://www.fleetequipmentmag.com/february-last-positive-month-this-year-for-trucking/)   [  FTR: Don't Look for Positive Trucking Conditions Again Until 2021 – like the rest of the economy – has never seen such an abrupt deterioration,” said Avery Vise, vice president of... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 17th Apr 2020 ](https://www.truckinginfo.com/356177/ftr-february-likely-last-positive-month-for-tci-until-2021)   [  February Likely The Last Positive Month For FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index Until 2021 update to the FTR Freight Outlook An interactive heatmap reflecting how the COVID-19 crisis is affecting... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 17th Apr 2020 ](https://www.foodlogistics.com/transportation/press-release/21129076/ftr-february-likely-the-last-positive-month-for-ftrs-trucking-conditions-index-until-2021)   [  Trailer Orders Tank In March, Following Class 8 Trucks Into Abyss plants for two weeks to cope with lower demand. FTR Transportation Intelligence reported that its preliminary count of... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 17th Apr 2020 ](https://www.benzinga.com/news/20/04/15832793/trailer-orders-tank-in-march-following-class-8-trucks-into-abyss)   [  ECONOMIC WATCH: Trucking conditions expected to turn negative until 2021 like the rest of the economy – has never seen such an abrupt deterioration,” said Avery Vise, vice-president of... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 17th Apr 2020 ](https://www.trucknews.com/transportation/economic-watch-trucking-conditions-expected-to-turn-negative-until-2021/1003139662/)   [  FTR Reports Trailer Orders Fall Precipitously in March to 6,500 Units same degree as other segments. Trailer orders for the past twelve months now total 177,000 units. Don Ake, FTR... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 17th Apr 2020 ](https://fleetnewsdaily.com/ftr-reports-trailer-orders-fall-precipitously-in-march-to-6500-units/)   [  FTR Updates Interactive COVID-19 Impact Heatmap , shippers, and brokers have not gone away, but market conditions have changed sharply over the past several weeks,” said... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 16th Apr 2020 ](https://www.truckinginfo.com/355987/ftr-updates-interactive-covid-19-impact-heatmap)             ![July 2020 State of Freight Today ](https://freight.ftrintel.com/hubfs/FTR_SOF_TODAY_2020-Image-01.png "July 2020 State of Freight Today ")     **Welcome to the State of Freight TODAY, a monthly newsletter with expanded analysis and commentary for the freight transportation industry. I am excited about the great work that we will be showcasing and I hope that it brings up even more important questions that we get to help you solve in the future.** Cheers on your path towards more transportation intelligence! ![EricStarks_400px](https://freight.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EricStarks_400px.jpg?width=100&name=EricStarks_400px.jpg)       Eric Starks  Chairman & CEO, FTR ### About FTR From freight demand to system capacity to equipment production, our clients benefit from the industries most reliable forecasts, quantitative market intelligence, key trends, and comprehensive analysis on North American freight transportation. Transportation professionals apply this information to their internal planning, forecasting, and market analysis. Our clients come from the shipping, trucking, rail, intermodal, equipment, and financial communities.  [Learn More](https://www.ftrintel.com) ### Links ### Contact Us ** 888-988-1699 ** [ftr@ftrintel.com](mailto:ftr@ftrintel.com) ** 1720 N Kinser Pike, Suite 210 Bloomington, IN 47404 Copyright 2026 — FTR | Transportation Intelligence [**](https://freight.ftrintel.com/softoday-july2020#)