Cowen/AFS
Freight Index
You’ve always used data for forecasting, budget and other strategic initiatives. But the value of data in logistics — and nearly every other market — is skyrocketing. So is the volume of data. In fact one of the great modern business challenges is knowing which data matters most and which to dismiss.
As a service to our clients, AFS is collaborating with Cowen, a leading full-service investment bank, to bring you current and highly relevant data and insights that matter to your business.
Freight Index Key Takeaways Highlights
- A 7.3% decrease in average length of haul in Q4:2021 was not enough to offset rate increases from Truckload carriers - and this will persist in Q1:2022
- Though average shipment weight declined in 2021, LTL carriers raised rates at unprecedented levels, including higher linehaul (two GRIs from some carriers), fuel and punitive accessorial charges
- The Express Parcel Freight Index is expected to continue to increase, reaching 1.4% in Q1:2022, reversing the long-term declining trend since 2018
- The seasonal divergence between Ground Parcel rate per package and weight per package became more prominent in 2021, indicating tight pricing controls from carriers, and the Ground Parcel Freight Index is expected to reach an all-time high of 26.3% in Q1:2022
Download the Full Q1 2022
Cowen/AFS Freight Index
What Comprises the Freight Index?
The Freight Index provides a performance snapshot of Less-than-Truckload shipping, full truckload shipping, and parcel shipping, both express and ground.
Massive client historical data and current macro and micro economic factors are carefully evaluated, selected and their impact built into our predictive models. The resulting Cowen/AFS Freight Index offers a unique and comprehensive view on both market past performance and the forecasted outlook for the immediate future quarter.
