You’ve long used data for forecasting, budgeting and other strategic initiatives. But the volume of data is skyrocketing and one of the great modern business challenges is knowing what data matters and what to dismiss.
Each quarter, AFS collaborates with TD Cowen, a leading full-service investment bank, to bring you current, highly relevant data and insights that matter to your business.
Freight index forecast key takeaways for Q3:2026
Continued capacity reductions and rising fuel prices squeeze truckload pricing to a four-year high
LTL rates reach another record high driven by spiking fuel prices, while the FedEx Freight spinoff and Amazon entry disrupt the competitive landscape
Fuel continues to shape sky-high parcel rates, but FedEx and UPS face growing pressure from Amazon and other alternative carriers
Download the Full Q3:2026 TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index
What is the freight index?
The TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index offers a unique and comprehensive view of both past shipping market performance and rate forecasts for the immediate future quarter, covering express and ground parcel, full truckload and less-than-truckload.
Massive client historical data and current macro and microeconomic factors are carefully evaluated and selected, with their impact built into our predictive models.
