intermodal rates

J.B. Hunt’s record intermodal loads came with higher costs in Q4

J.B. Hunt Transport Services said peak season for its intermodal and highway services segments was strong and that it’s seeing some customers secure capacity earlier than normal, which is usually a harbinger of an improving environment.

The Lowell, Arkansas-based multimodal transportation provider reported earnings per share of $1.53 Thursday after the market closed. The result included a roughly 13-cent headwind, or $16 million, from intangible asset impairments. The consensus estimate for the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/j-b-hunts-record-intermodal-loads-came-with-higher-costs-in-q4

J.B. Hunt eyes intermodal pricing inflection

J.B. Hunt Transport Services moved a record number of intermodal loads during the third quarter, but service issues and cost headwinds have constrained margins. After two years of declining yields, the company could be nearing an inflection on the pricing front.

Management from the company told investors Tuesday at Stephens annual investment conference in Nashville, Tennessee, that rail service in its Eastern network is excellent. However, it continues to see hiccups on transcontinental lanes...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/j-b-hunt-eyes-intermodal-pricing-inflection

Intermodal gains share, but at what cost?

Chart of the Week: Total outbound loaded rail container volume, Intermodal spot rates – USA SONAR: ORAILL.USA, INTRM.USA

Intermodal demand is only 2% off the peak COVID-era value that it hit in late 2020, but spot rates are 42% lower than where they were at that point. Have the railroads solved all their problems?

Loaded intermodal — both domestic and international — container volumes are up 10% over 2023, but spot rates are down about 8%. This seems contradictory.

Demand typically correlates well...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/intermodal-gains-share-but-at-what-cost

J.B. Hunt’s long-term intermodal growth plan weighs on Q1 result

J.B. Hunt Transport Services said it would stay the course, increasing intermodal capacity ahead of demand to avoid the service failures the industry experienced during the pandemic. That means carrying a higher cost burden and potentially posting earnings misses like it did in the 2024 first quarter.

The multimodal provider reported first-quarter earnings per share of $1.22 Tuesday after the market closed, 31 cents light of the consensus estimate and 67 cents lower year over year (y/y). A...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/j-b-hunts-long-term-intermodal-growth-plan-weighs-on-q1-result

SONAR Sightings: Volumes in Detroit roar; intermodal rates react differently to protest threat

The highlights from Friday’s SONAR reports are below. For more information on SONAR — the fastest freight-forecasting platform in the industry — or to request a demo, click here. Also, be sure to check out the latest SONAR update, TRAC — the freshest spot rate data in the industry.

Market watch for Sept. 23:Detroit

Volumes in Detroit are continuing to roar back up to record highs.

The Outbound Tender Volume Index for Detroit is up 10.5% since Wednesday to 290.4 leading into the weekend. This marks...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/sonar-sightings-volumes-in-detroit-roar-intermodal-rates-react-differently-to-protest-threat

Will intermodal’s cost advantage be enough to grow beyond 2021?

Chart of the Week:  Intermodal Contract Savings Index – USA, Outbound Tender Rejection Index – USA SONAR: ICMSI.USA OTRI.USA

The cost differential between dry van truckload and intermodal contract rates expanded to multiyear highs over the winter as trucking costs expanded much more rapidly than the intermodal counterpart. Todd Maiden reported Wells Fargo believes 2021 will be a banner year for container shipping on the rails, citing strong year-over-year comps and sustained import growth. But...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/will-intermodals-cost-advantage-be-enough-to-grow-beyond-2021?

Intermodal rates go off the rails

Chart of the Week:  Intermodal Spot Rates – USA SONAR: INTRM.USA

The average national spot rate for intermodal shipments by rail have increased 58% since early June, or $0.79/mile. The normally rational intermodal market, a safe haven for many shippers, has succumbed to the pressure of the surging freight volumes arriving on the West Coast. What is more impressive than the absolute rate, which is the highest in five years, is the rate of increase. 

It has taken only three months for the U.S....

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/intermodal-rates-go-off-the-rails

Intermodal growth here to stay, says Hub Group

Hub Group truck and trailer on highway

On its Thursday evening earnings call with analysts, management from intermodal marketing company Hub Group (NASDAQ: HUBG) said several customers are approaching them to talk about peak season capacity needs. A number of customers have indicated the recent strength in demand in the West will likely continue through peak season and possibly November as inventories remain depleted and restocking continues.

Management said intermodal volumes were up 5% year-over-year in June and 8% in July,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/intermodal-growth-here-to-stay-says-hub-group