Trucking execs see green shoots as industry awaits upturn

Signs that a freight recovery may be taking shape continue to surface, said trucking executives on the investor conference circuit this week. The overall sentiment is that the truckload industry is no longer in a recession and that normal seasonal trends have returned, but no one is ready to commit to when a meaningful positive inflection will occur.

“We know we’re coming off the bottom of the market,” Drew Wilkerson, CEO at truck broker RXO (NYSE: RXO), told investors at Citi’s 2025 Global...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/trucking-execs-point-to-green-shoots-as-industry-awaits-upturn

Los ejecutivos de camiones ven brotes verdes mientras la industria espera la mejora

Los signos de que una recuperación de carga puede estar tomando forma continúa a la superficie, dijeron que los ejecutivos de camiones en el circuito de la conferencia de inversores esta semana. El sentimiento general es que la industria de la carga de camiones ya no está en una recesión y que las...

https://fullavantenews.com/los-ejecutivos-de-camiones-ven-brotes-verdes-mientras-la-industria-espera-la-mejora/?lang=es

Tenstreet acquires driver communications provider TextLocate

Driver recruiting platform Tenstreet announced Monday it has acquired driver tracking software company TextLocate for an undisclosed sum.

Chattanooga, Tennessee-based TextLocate’s platform provides real-time load visibility. Third-party logistics providers can perform two-way chats and check calls with drivers, verify proof of delivery, share images and monitor safety performance on the network.

The deal is expected to complement Tenstreet’s service offering, which also provides drivers with...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/tenstreet-acquires-driver-communications-provider-textlocate

Cass TL linehaul index up y/y for first time in 2 years

January data from Cass Information Systems showed truckload linehaul rates turned positive on a year-over-year comparison for the first time in two years. However, shipments remained soft.

The TL linehaul index, which tracks rates without fuel and accessorial surcharges, posted a 0.8% y/y increase for the month. This was the first positive y/y change since December 2022. The index also increased 0.6% from December, the fifth consecutive sequential increase.

Winter storms in January were more...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/cass-tl-linehaul-index-up-y-y-for-first-time-in-2-years

Pamt Corp. books big loss in Q4

Pamt Corp., formerly Pam Transportation Services, booked a big net loss during the fourth quarter.

Pamt Corp. (NASDAQ: PAMT) reported a headline net loss of $31.6 million, or $1.45 per share. The result included a $24.7 million one-time depreciation adjustment and a $6.4 million impairment tied to a drop in equipment valuations. Excluding the one-offs, the company booked an adjusted net loss of $7.8 million, or 36 cents per share.

The result fell short of a lone analyst estimate of 7 cents per...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/pamt-corp-books-big-loss-in-q4

Werner optimistic after tough Q4

Management from Werner Enterprises noted some green shoots on a Thursday quarterly call but the period was marred by unfavorable claims developments.

Werner (NASDAQ: WERN) reported fourth-quarter adjusted earnings per share of 8 cents after the market closed, 14 cents below the consensus estimate and 31 cents lower year over year. The number included a $19 million hit, or 22 cents per share, from unfavorable changes in liability claims.

The company said the “unprecedented rise in verdicts and...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/werner-optimistic-after-tough-q4

First look: Liability claims sink Werner’s Q4

Werner (NASDAQ: WERN) reported fourth-quarter adjusted earnings per share of 8 cents, well shy of the 22-cent consensus estimate and 31 cents lower year over year. The number included a $19 million hit, or 22 cents per share, from unfavorable changes in liability claims.

“This is a reflection of the ongoing unprecedented rise in verdicts and litigation settlements across the industry, particularly for larger carriers,” a Thursday news release stated. “In contrast to these trends, in 2024 we...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/first-look-liability-claims-sink-werners-q4

Schneider sees truckload tide turning

Schneider National noted some green shoots across the modes it serves and said truckload demand has returned to normal seasonal patterns.

The Green Bay, Wisconsin-based multimodal transportation provider said Thursday it started seeing spot rates exceed contract rates (typically the requisite precursor to a positive inflection in contract rates) around last Thanksgiving, with the trend accelerating from that point into 2025. Schneider’s customers have been, “more receptive to rate restoration,”...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/schneider-sees-truckload-tide-turning

First look: Schneider Q4 earnings

Schneider National’s fourth quarter came in as expected, as did its initial earnings outlook for 2025. During the recent quarter, the company saw year-over-year earnings improvement across all segments for the first time since the 2022 second quarter.

Fourth-quarter adjusted earnings per share of 20 cents was in line with the consensus estimate and 4 cents higher y/y. The number excluded costs from prior acquisitions, including the Dec. 2 purchase of dedicated carrier Cowan Systems.

Schneider (NYS...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/first-look-schneider-q4-earnings