Cass Freight Index – Insights

News in Freight: Demand Grows, M&A Heats Up, Phishers Target Carriers

U.S. freight demand is rising even as January shipments fell, with the Cass Freight Index showing a 7.1% YoY drop in shipments but a 1.7% MoM rise in the Truckload Index. Rates climbed 3.2% year‑over‑year, and analysts expect tighter capacity to push truckload rates higher through 2026. M&A activity is heating up, highlighted by Werner Enterprises’ $283 million acquisition of FirstFleet, propelling Werner to the fifth‑largest dedicated carrier. Meanwhile, the FMCSA issued a warning about aggressive phishing campaigns targeting motor carriers.