The Breakthrough Monthly Freight Index
Elevate your freight strategy with the Breakthrough Ecosystem. Stay informed with the latest freight index and market update, empowering you to navigate shifts in demand and capacity.
Freight index analysis
Shipments within the Breakthrough Ecosystem declined from June and registered a 0.9% decrease year-over-year. The main factor in this decline was reduced freight demand across most shipper industries toward the end of July, and specifically lower volumes in durable goods and consumer packaged goods during the month.
High borrowing costs, challenges in the labor market, and business uncertainty continue to impact freight demand alongside pressures on consumer resilience due to current macroeconomic conditions. Paper and packaging shipments experienced a slight increase, but reports indicate that box sales are softening, reflecting trends in retail activity that may affect the industry moving forward.
Freight market update
Published: August 21, 2025
Headline indicators like 3.0% Q2 GDP growth, 4.2% unemployment, and 2.7% inflation suggest stability, but underlying figures show vulnerability. GDP gains stemmed from tariff-driven import behavior while consumer spending and business investment have slowed. Employment growth was weaker than expected, and potential inflationary effects of tariffs could test consumer resilience. In freight, July’s temporary port and rail boost came from front-loaded imports, with Breakthrough Ecosystem volumes flat year-over-year. Trucking employment has softened, and ELP regulations may tighten capacity slightly. Breakthrough forecasts gradual freight rate increases over the next year, with current market conditions persisting.
Adapt to freight market demands
To maintain a competitive advantage, integrate innovative strategies that leverage data, technology, and market expertise. By doing so, you can take a proactive approach to procurement.
Access real-time data
Prepare for the forecasted increase in freight demand by having access to a real-time, shipper-transacted dataset. With this type of data at your fingertips, you can benchmark your network against other industry-leading shippers and uncover opportunities within your transportation network.
Invest in relationships
Invest in mutually beneficial relationships with carriers to be prepared for any sudden changes in freight demand or capacity. Leverage Capac-ID to determine if alternative carriers might be a better match for certain lanes and loads.
Leverage a trusted source
Keep informed about market shifts to adjust your transportation plans promptly. By leveraging unbiased market expertise from sources like Breakthrough, you can effectively communicate market dynamics to your C-suite, enhancing your credibility as a transportation leader.
About the Breakthrough Ecosystem
The Breakthrough Ecosystem is one of the cleanest and most robust sets of transportation data in the U.S.
28+ million shipments
$32 billion in transportation spend
15+ billion commercial miles
2 billion gallons of diesel fuel
Take control of your freight network
Experience firsthand how Breakthrough’s innovative freight solutions can keep a constant pulse on your transportation network performance and identify areas for cost reduction and efficiency gains.