Freightonomics

Dr. Zac Rogers comes on to discuss the April LMI and the fastest expansion of the spread between transportation prices and capacity in the index’s history. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Freight markets are reacting in real time to global disruption, seasonal uncertainty, and mounting regulatory pressure. Fuel volatility tied to the Iran conflict continues to ripple across transportation, driving cost swings and network disruption. At the same time, April is proving to be a transitional (and potentially misleading) moment in the freight cycle, with seasonal patterns colliding with a still-fragile market. - How the Iran conflict is impacting fuel, capacity, and global freight flows - Whether April is a true inflection point—or just a seasonal speed bump - What to expect from Roadcheck and how enforcement could tighten capacity - Early signals on summer freight demand and market direction - The key risks and opportunities shaping the road ahead Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Freightonomics, Zach Strickland breaks down the latest macro indicators before bringing on Dr. Zac Rogers to unpack the Logistics Managers' Index (LMI) data for March. They compare today's logistics environment to the COVID-era peaks of March 2022, diving deep into the widening gap between transportation capacity and pricing. Zach also looks at the recent spikes in diesel and oil prices amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, and Dr. Rogers explains why global supply chains and ocean rates are proving much more resilient to these shocks than they were four years ago. Plus, a look at how historically lean inventories might be forcing the market to rethink its "Just-In-Time" strategies. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Economic concerns persist, but the truckload market appears unconcerned as fuel prices soar. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Freight markets are entering a critical transition point. Rising geopolitical tension in the Middle East is already rippling through global supply chains. Shipping lanes are shifting, fuel prices are rising and carriers across every mode are adjusting capacity and pricing. At the same time, the U.S. freight market appears to be approaching its long-anticipated turning point. Join Craig Fuller and Zach Strickland for this month's State of Freight webinar as we break down the latest data and what it means for shippers, carriers and brokers. We’ll cover: - How the escalating conflict involving Iran is impacting global supply chains - The latest signals around the long-awaited freight market flip - How trucking, ocean, rail and air cargo markets are responding - What the latest data is telling us about capacity, pricing and demand Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Iranian conflict has added a new layer of complexity to supply chains that were already dealing with a full slate of issues. Dr. Zac Rogers helps unpack the current logistics environment.  Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The domestic freight market remains unstable four weeks after Winter Storm Fern. The question now is whether increased regulatory enforcement pressure could keep this cycle shift tighter for longer. Additionally, how much will tariffs ultimately matter? Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As volatility continues into early 2026, Craig Fuller, CEO and founder of FreightWaves and Zach Strickland, Head of Freight Market Intelligence at SONAR break down what’s changing, what’s staying stubbornly uncertain, and what it all means for shippers, carriers, and brokers planning ahead. In this month's State of Freight webinar, presented by Fleet Owl, we’ll cover: Winter weather’s influence on transportation markets and how disruption impacts rates, capacity, and service Has the freight market flipped? Key indicators that may signal a shift in momentum Bullish or bearish? What current freight trends suggest about the broader economy Whether you're tracking spot rates, contract shifts, or macro signals, this session will provide a clear snapshot of where the market stands and where it may be headed next. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Zac Rogers comes on to discuss the impact so the holidays and winter weather on the most recent Logistics Managers’ Index and supply chains. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Winter weather has been the most disruptive force of nature on transportation in the past few years. The freight market may not be as resilient as it has been. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Craig Fuller, CEO and founder of FreightWaves, and Zach Strickland, Head of Freight Market Intelligence at SONAR for this month's State of Freight as they discuss: - The impact of continued tariff uncertainty - How the current freight market can potentially benefit carriers - Potential risks and concerns for shippers in 2026, and how to plan ahead Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Zac Rogers comes on to discuss the historic drawdown on inventory levels in December’s LMI. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join FreightWaves for our December State of Freight webinar as we wrap up a volatile year and project the key drivers for the transportation market in 2026. Hosted by Julia Becker, VP of Media Operations, this session features deep-dive analysis from strategic experts Zach Strickland (Head of Freight Market Intelligence) and JP Hampstead (Strategic Analyst). The team explores the surprising "peakiness" of the 2025 holiday season and examines why traditional market cycles are shifting. Using real-time data from the SONAR platform, this webinar breaks down the core metrics every shipper, carrier, and broker needs to understand to navigate the year ahead. Key Discussion Points Tender Rejections & Spot Rates: Why rejection rates surged to 11.9% and the implications of the sharp trajectory in spot market pricing. Inventory Shifts: The transition from "just-in-case" to "just-in-time" inventory strategies and how lean management is increasing freight velocity. Capacity Volatility: An analysis of the continued exit of small and mid-sized carriers and the regulatory pressures—including English language proficiency enforcement—impacting driver availability. Economic Tailwinds & Headwinds: The impact of recent Fed rate cuts, unemployment figures, and the looming review of the USMCA trade agreement on flatbed and dry van demand. The Rise of Short-Haul: A look at the 11% growth in local fulfillment freight and what it reveals about consumer buying patterns. AI in Logistics: Where mid-sized fleets should focus their tech investments, from route optimization to back-office automation. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Zac Rogers comes on to discuss the supply chain themes that moved the market in 2025 and the ones that will carry into 2026. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Freight has faced turbulence from every direction: trade tensions, shifting regulations, and a government shutdown. Join JP Hampstead, Strategic Analyst at FreightWaves, and Zach Strickland, Head of Freight Market Intelligence at SONAR for this month's State of Freight, presented by Triumph, as they discuss: - How the capacity crunch is impacting the market for holiday shipping - The latest tariff rulings and their effect on global trade - How the government shutdown influenced freight demand Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Freight data suggests a muted peak season from a demand perspective, but ongoing capacity reductions make it hard to say it will be a complete non-event. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Zac Rogers and Zach Strickland discuss the October LMI readings and how businesses are being impacted by the government shutdown and the looming tariff ruling. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach Strickland of Freightonomics sits down with two expert guests: Henry Byers, Director of Pricing at KCH Transportation, and Jared Flinn, Co-Founder and Operating Partner at BulkLoads, to dissect the diverging paths of the freight market and the red-hot bulk market. The conversation covers critical dynamics impacting the industry, including: Dry Van/Reefer Volatility: Henry Byers discusses the choppy, frothy conditions and upward pressure on spot rates in the domestic truckload market, pointing to unexpected pockets like Indianapolis ripping and volatility in long-haul segments like Ontario, California to Chicago. The Booming Bulk Market: Jared Flinn notes that the bulk market, particularly in agriculture, is experiencing all-time highs and operating completely opposite to the dry van/reefer sector. He shares that the bulk market is insulated, more regional, and a "great place to live right now" for carriers. Trade War Impact: The experts explore how the trade war, including the lack of China buying US soybeans, has affected both domestic supply chains and the containerized freight epicenter of Southern California. 2026 Outlook & Hot Takes: The guests wrap up with their predictions for the coming year, with a bullish outlook for the bulk market and a forecast for continued volatility and upward rate pressure in the truckload sector. Don't miss this deep dive into the current freight environment and what to watch out for in 2026! Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The truckload spot market erupted this week as the Serbian news called for drivers to stay off the roads amidst ICE raids. Rates jumped despite weak demand. Dr. Zac Rogers gives the latest LMI report and the import market stabilizes. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The freight economy has been depressed for the past three years. The broader economy has stumbled into stagnation in 2025, but the financial markets have largely ignored it. Zach and Thomas break down why. Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices