Total load activity rose 3.9% after declining nearly 3% during the previous week. Total volume was just barely (0.3%) above the same 2023 week but was nearly 33% below the five-year average for the week. Total truck postings fell 6.9%, and the Market Demand Index – the ratio of load postings to truck postings in the system – increased to its highest level in three weeks.
The total broker-posted rate was essentially flat week-over-week, declining a tenth of a cent. Rates were nearly 4% below the same 2023 week and almost 6% below the five-year average for the week. Total spot rates were basically unchanged despite the large gain in refrigerated spot rates because of the decrease in flatbed spot rates, which accounted for a far greater proportion of rates posted during the week.
Dry van spot rates increased 4 cents after declining 3 cents in the previous week. Rates were nearly 2% higher than the same 2023 week but about 8% below the five-year average. Dry van loads increased 5.8% from the previous week. Volume was about 4% below the same 2023 week and nearly 33% below the five-year average for the week.
Refrigerated spot rates soared about 16 cents after rising about 5 cents during the previous week. Rates were nearly 3% above the same 2023 week for the strongest y/y comparison since the fourth week of this year. Refrigerated rates were about 5% below the five-year average for the week. Refrigerated loads jumped 10.8% above the prior week for the largest increase since the weather-impacted third week of the year. Volume was about 5% below the same 2023 week and 34% below the five-year average for the week.
Flatbed spot rates declined 1.4 cents after falling 3.5 cents in the prior week. Rates were more than 5% below the same 2023 week and about 5% below the five-year average for the week. Flatbed loads increased 2.3% from the previous week after falling for five straight weeks. Volume was about 4% above the same week last year but nearly 37% below the five-year average for the week.