Supply Chain Now

Review of the Inaugural U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index - Rates Edition

Jan 28, 2026
Guest
Chris Caplice
Dr. Chris Caplice, Chief Scientist at DAT Freight & Analytics and freight market forecaster. He discusses the new U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index Rates Edition, spot versus contract rate dynamics, regional and agricultural rate drivers. Conversation covers scenario modeling, building carrier relationships, and practical signals supply chain leaders should monitor.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Data Powerhouses Reveal Market Signals

  • The U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index Rates Edition combines large payment and transaction datasets to reveal market signals.
  • It gives shippers and carriers a clearer, data-driven picture of spot, contract, and fuel rate dynamics.
INSIGHT

Contract Stability vs. Spot Volatility

  • Contract rates have stayed relatively steady while spot rates show more volatility and seasonal movement.
  • Both rate types remain elevated on much lower volumes, suggesting ongoing capacity tightness.
INSIGHT

Spot Rates Are The Leading Indicator

  • Spot rates act as the market's leading indicator and reflect broker-paid prices, while contract rates reflect shipper-paid prices.
  • Watching spot movement gives shippers a three-to-four-month lead on where contract pricing and capacity may trend.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app