The latest release of ACT’s For-Hire Trucking Index indicated that June’s volume reading advanced for the sixth consecutive month to 72.0, soaring to the highest level since March 2014, and almost 20 points above the reading in the same month last year. Sixteen percent of respondents reported having significant gains, 60% percent had modest increases, and 22% were flat. The remaining 2% of fleets had modest decreases.

“Seasonal adjustment softens the volume reading this time of year,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT Research’s President and Senior Analyst. He continued, “Even after being adjusted, June’s volume index reached a five-month high reading of 66, and the second best since the end of 2014.”

Following May’s slowing growth, the pricing index reading advanced to 63.3, almost 13 points higher than the same month last year, and marking the ninth consecutive positive reading. “Rates need to still raise considerably. Cost of doing business is much higher,” said one fleet.