Flatbed report: Ag tractors and combines sales fall in 2024

This week, we focus on the Baltimore freight market, where DAT’s Market Condition Index (MCI) expects available capacity to remain.

Flatbed report: December residential construction improves

U.S. single-family homebuilding hit a 10-month high in December, signaling improved housing activity. However, rising mortgage rates and an oversupply.

Flatbed report: Steel production is well below the 5-year average

The United States is one of the world’s top five producers of crude steel, and as of November 2024, the production levels have decreased.

Flatbed report: More Mexican imports are bound for the Gulf Coast

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum recently announced a project to expand the Port of Progreso in the country’s southeastern state.

Flatbed report: Redfin’s residential construction outlook for 2025

Redfin’s economists expect more home sales in 2025, largely due to pent-up demand. However, some would-be homebuyers will still be cautious.

Flatbed report: The logistics industry continues to expand at a steady pace

The October Logistics Manager’s Index reads in at 58.4, down slightly (-0.5) from October’s reading of 58.9, signaling the fastest expansion.

Flatbed report: Truckload demand is improving slowly as the year goes by

ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said, “The slow and choppy climb off the bottom continued in October. Since hitting a low...”

Flatbed report: Residential construction headwinds persist

The U.S. Census Bureau released the latest residential statistics for October 2024, reporting housing starts, recording a seasonally adjusted annual rate.

Flatbed report: The flatbed demand outlook remains flat

The shipments component of the Cass Freight Index fell 1.9% m/m in October after a 1.7% decline in September.

Flatbed report: The manufacturing sector contracts for the seventh consecutive month

U.S. manufacturing activity fell to a 15-month low in October. The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) reported that its manufacturing index continues to decline.

Flatbed report: Home buyer sentiment rises to the highest level in two years

The Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) increased by 1.8 points in September to 73.9, its highest level in two years.