ACT Research released the June installment of the ACT Freight Forecast, U.S. Rate and Volume OUTLOOK report covering the truckload, intermodal, LTL and last mile sectors.

1. Americas Commercial Transportation Research Co. LLC
4440 Middle Road, Columbus, Indiana 47203
Telephone: (812) 379-2085, Fax: (812) 378-5997
E-Mail: trucks@actresearch.net
_______________________________
June 6, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ACT Research May Freight Forecast: What Impact on Freight Rates from Pre-
Tariff Freight Surge?
COLUMBUS, IN – ACT Research released the June installment of the ACT Freight Forecast, U.S. Rate
and Volume OUTLOOK report covering the truckload, intermodal, LTL and last mile sectors.
ACT Research raised near-term freight volume forecasts to estimate a short-term pre-ship ahead of the
threatened tariffs on the remaining $300+ billion of China imports.
Tim Denoyer, ACT Research’s Vice President and Senior Analyst, said “Timing is uncertain but assuming
some talks, there may be enough to temporarily snatch the cycle from the jaws of freight recession in the
near-term. But the mid-term freight outlook is hurt by the recent yield curve dynamics, and pre-shipping will
eventually result in an inventory overhang.”
This dynamic did not change ACT’s rate
forecasts materially, and the ACT Truckload
Spot Leading Indicator reached a new cycle
low this month. ACT’s Freight Rate
Barometer, a measure of supply/demand
balance, shows the truckload market has
been oversupplied for about six months, and
it typically leads truckload contract rates by
about six months.
Denoyer added, “Pricing power is rapidly
swinging from the service providers back to
the shipping community, due to accelerating
tractor capacity growth and soft freight
demand. Truck orders are down sharply, a
potentially auspicious sign, but eyes now
turn to June orders for an early look at 2020
demand.”
The ACT Freight Forecast provides
quarterly forecasts for the direction of
volumes and contract rates through 2020
and annual forecasts through 2021 for the
truckload, less-than-truckload and
intermodal segments of the transportation
industry. For the truckload spot market, the report provides forecasts for the next twelve months.
ACT Research is recognized as the leading publisher of commercial vehicle truck, trailer, and bus industry
data, market analysis and forecasting services for the North American and China markets. ACT’s
analytical services are used by all major North American truck and trailer manufacturers and their
suppliers, transportation and logistics companies, as well as banking and investment companies. More
information can be found at www.actresearch.net.
For more information about ACT’s Freight Forecast, U.S. Rate and Volume OUTLOOK, please click here.
Contributor to Blue Chip Economic Indicators and Member of WSJ Economic Panel
www.actresearch.net

2. ACT’s 61st seminar is scheduled for August 12-14, 2019, and will feature a transportation panel on e-
commerce and digital freight matching, as well as discussions on near-term demand of North American
commercial vehicle markets and the impacts of tomorrow’s technical challenges. A global forecasting
workshop is also being planned in conjunction with this semi-annual event. Click here for seminar
information.
Contributor to Blue Chip Economic Indicators and Member of WSJ Economic Panel
www.actresearch.net