Freight Transportation Index
Monitor the freight transportation index for real-time signals of goods economy health. Declining freight activity precedes broader economic weakness.
Current Value
Trigger Level: Declining = slowing real economic activity
Historical Trend
AI Analysis
Today's Freight Transportation Index value is 1.5, which marks a significant recovery from a low of -0.6 observed throughout most of April 2026. This sharp rise indicates a reversal in trend, moving from a prolonged period of decline to a stable high, suggesting a temporary stabilization in freight activity. However, despite the recent recovery, the sustained low levels prior to May indicate ongoing weakness in the goods economy, raising recession risk as the index reflects slowing real economic activity. The current value, while improved, remains a cautionary signal for future economic performance.
What is the Freight Index?
The Freight Transportation Services Index measures the volume of freight carried by for-hire transportation industries. It captures real-time shipping demand across trucking, rail, air, and pipeline.
Why It Matters for Recession Risk
If goods aren't being shipped, they aren't being produced or consumed. Declining freight activity is one of the most tangible real-economy signals that production and consumption are weakening.
Historical Context
The freight index declined notably before both the 2008 and 2020 recessions. The 2022-2023 freight recession preceded broader manufacturing weakness by several quarters.
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