The truck freight market in the United States softened in the first quarter, from the previous period, according to a recent U.S. Bank report. But first-quarter softening is not unusual as the volumes are typically lower in the period compared to the previous one. Meanwhile, the heavy-duty truck market remains as strong as ever.
In the first-quarter U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index, Bob Costello, chief economist for American Trucking Associations, noted the severe winter weather in February “put additional stress on supply chains, resulting in factories being closed and people unable to work. Many supply chains were also impacted by input shortages during the quarter, with microchips being the most notable example.”
Freight spending declined compared to a rise in the fourth quarter, according to the report. However, the market “remained very tight because the level of spending stayed high and increased from a year earlier.”
Household spending has been strong as most received federal stimulus money. Also, household savings have risen over the past year.
