FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) measure for October fell to a reading of 7.75 – the weakest reading since July 2020 – because of a surge in diesel prices. Had fuel prices been a neutral factor, FTR says, the change in the index from September’s 11.79 reading would have been negligible.
Freight rates remain the largest positive factor, although they were modestly less positive in October. However, freight volume and utilization were stronger positive factors than they had been in September. Fuel costs have now stabilized, and the TCI outlook is for solidly positive readings well into 2022.
