• For week 31 in the spot market, 3 of the 4 key market indicators decreased. The overall Market Demand Index (MDI) rose by 6.1 points to 134.9 as load availability decreased 2.5% and truck availability declined 6.9%. Compared to last year, the MDI is up 53.2 points, or 65.2%. Last week, market rates fell 1.6% to $3.27. Compared to last year, rates are up 41.2%. National fuel prices edged up $0.02 cents to $5.31 from $5.29 per gallon in the previous week.
• Data from Truckstop.com and FTR Transportation Intelligence for the week ended August 7 shows a market that continues to move in a seasonal manner, but week-over-week changes suggested more weakness than usual, even with the recent surge in diesel prices.
• Refrigerated spot rates rose, but the gain was smaller than typical for comparable weeks of the year. Dry van spot rates occasionally decline during comparable weeks, but the decrease was the largest since at least 2008. For the first time since early May, dry van rates were below the comparable 2021 week. Flatbed rates almost always fall during this period, but the only comparable week with a larger drop was in 2022.
• Regardless of softer-than-usual moves, spot rates are running 40% to 45% higher year over year, depending on equipment type. Dry van and refrigerated spot rates tend to be inconsistent in early-to-mid August before firming close to Labor Day. Flatbed rates usually ease further before basically stabilizing around early September.
• The larger drop in truck postings than in load postings resulted in a Market Demand Index of 134.9, which is marginally stronger than it was two weeks earlier but still low by 2026 standards.
