The latest Logistics Manager’s Index (LMI)  for December 2025 registered at 54.2 , down 1.5 points from November's 55.7. While still indicating overall expansion (above 50), this marks the slowest growth since April 2024 and continues a trend of readings below the historical average. The report highlights a dramatic downstream push of inventories driven by robust holiday consumer spending, relieving backlog pressures but tightening transportation markets. Key Highlights from

The logistics landscape is undergoing significant turbulence as UPS advances its "Network of the Future" initiative amid sweeping changes in U.S. trade policy. Recent reports highlight major disruptions, including the seizure of approximately $32 million  in undeliverable packages following a major hub closure, widespread disposals due to customs compliance issues, and ongoing facility shutdowns. These developments are creating challenges for shippers, particularly those reli

As we kick off 2026, the latest data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) brings welcome news for drivers and fleet operators alike. Motor fuel prices closed out December 2025 with notable declines in most categories, offering some relief amid ongoing supply chain and logistics challenges. National Averages: Gasoline Down, Diesel Mixed Regular Gasoline : The national average price dropped to $2.89 per gallon  in December 2025. This represents a 5.1% decrease  fr

The latest S&P Global US Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index™ (PMI®) data for December 2025 indicates a continued, though moderated, improvement in operating conditions across the US manufacturing sector. The headline PMI registered 51.8 , down from 52.2 in November, marking the softest expansion in the current five-month growth sequence. While the sector remains in expansion territory (above the 50 no-change mark), the slowdown highlights emerging challenges, particular

Less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers reported divergent performance in November 2025, underscoring the persistent softness in the broader freight market. While some carriers experienced significant tonnage declines, others posted modest gains—highlighting the volatility driven by economic headwinds, post-tariff inventory adjustments, and seasonal factors. Volume Softness Dominates, With Notable Exceptions Major LTL players saw varied tonnage results: Old Dominion Freight Line  

The latest Cass Freight Index report for November 2025 offers a snapshot of a freight market navigating post-tariff adjustments, seasonal holiday dynamics, and emerging weather impacts. While shipments showed modest recovery, expenditures remained subdued, reflecting ongoing pressures from lower volumes and shifting modal mixes. Shipments Rebound Slightly, But Annual Declines Persist The shipments component of the Cass Freight Index rose 0.7% month-over-month (m/m) in Novembe

The latest semiannual economic forecast from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), released on December 16, 2025, delivers encouraging news for the U.S. economy—particularly for the manufacturing sector. According to reporting by Jeff Berman in Logistics Management , the ISM anticipates a notable rebound in manufacturing activity in 2026, while the services sector is expected to continue its steady expansion. Key Highlights from the ISM Forecast Manufacturing Revenue Gro

Amazon just hit a milestone that should have every parcel carrier and grocery competitor paying attention: same-day fresh grocery delivery is now available in 2,300 U.S. cities and towns  — more than double the 1,000 areas it covered in August. On the surface, this is about selling more bananas and steak. Under the hood, it’s a masterclass in using perishables as a Trojan horse  to lock in everyday parcel volume. The Numbers Tell the Story Grocery selection up 30%  since Augu

The verdict from the latest Armada/SMC3 data is blunt: freight demand remains sporadic, elusive, and stubbornly weak . Consumer and corporate sentiment are near recessionary levels The lower half of household spending is evaporating Inflation is masking flat-to-negative unit volumes $5+ trillion of “announced” investment is nowhere to be seen in actual freight In short, the hoped-for 2026 freight rebound is still a forecast, not a reality. The Hard Numbers Sector 2025 Reality

The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics released its October 2025 Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) yesterday, and the headline is unambiguous: Freight TSI: 136.7 ↓ 1.2% from September ↓ 1.2% year-over-year This marks the second consecutive monthly decline and the first year-over-year drop since mid-2023. For supply chain leaders, the TSI remains one of the most reliable leading indicators of economic momentum — and right now it is flashing yellow. Key Takeawa

The Logistics Manager’s Index (LMI) registered 55.7  in November, a decline of 1.7 points from October and the lowest reading since June 2024. While the index remains in expansion territory (above 50), the slowdown signals that the extraordinary inventory buildup of the past eleven months is finally unwinding. A historic shift occurred in the warehousing sector: Warehousing Utilization fell into contraction at 47.5  — the first sub-50 reading in the nine-year history of the L

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) just dropped its December Short-Term Energy Outlook—and the headline is unambiguous: global oil inventories are set to swell through 2026 , pushing Brent crude to an average of $55 per barrel  starting in Q1 and holding near that level for the rest of the year. That’s a ~25% drop from today’s $73–74/b levels and the lowest annual average since 2021. At Gain Consulting, we treat energy the same way we treat capacity: a leading i

The relationship between Amazon and the United States Postal Service—once the quiet backbone of U.S. e-commerce last-mile delivery—is suddenly making headlines. With the current contract set to expire in October 2026, Postmaster General David Steiner is floating a “reverse auction” that would force Amazon to compete with other retailers and regional carriers for access to USPS facilities and capacity. Amazon’s response was swift and pointed: “We were surprised… we’re evaluati

The tragic UPS MD-11F crash in Louisville on November 4 has already claimed 14 lives. Now it is delivering a second, slower-moving shock to global air cargo: an indefinite grounding of one of the industry’s most important widebody freighters. The FAA’s Airworthiness Directive—initially temporary—has hardened into an “undeterminable period” of highly invasive inspections, repairs, and part replacements for every MD-11 and MD-11F still flying. For UPS, FedEx, and niche operator

The U.S. trucking industry is entering 2026 in a holding pattern: not collapsing, but far from thriving. Weak freight demand, lingering tariff-driven cost inflation, and regulatory uncertainty around EPA 2027 have combined to keep fleets in survival mode. Capacity is finally starting to contract after years of oversupply, yet meaningful rate or volume recovery remains elusive through at least the first half of the year. At Gain Consulting, we work daily with fleets, private c

Walmart's latest earnings report isn't just a win for the retail giant—it's a blueprint for how omnichannel logistics can drive explosive growth in a competitive e-commerce landscape. For Q3 FY26 (ended October 31, 2025), Walmart posted a 5.8% revenue increase to $179.5 billion, fueled by a staggering 27% jump in global e-commerce sales. Leading the charge? Same-day delivery, which skyrocketed nearly 70% year-over-year, with 35% of store-fulfilled orders arriving in under thr

The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) released its estimated TransBorder Freight Data for September 2025 today, revealing a notable slowdown in cross-border trade amid ongoing economic headwinds. Total transborder freight between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico clocked in at an estimated $127.8 billion—a 6.2% drop from September 2024. While these figures are preliminary (derived from a four-year average due to data disruptions from the recent government shutdown), t

The holiday peak is officially here. With e-commerce sales projected to jump 12–15% over 2024 and parcel volume expected to shatter records, the major carriers have released their 2025 “ship-by” dates to guarantee delivery by Christmas Eve (Dec 24). Miss these cutoffs and you risk disappointed customers, refund requests, and damage to your brand’s reputation. At Gain Consulting, we’ve helped dozens of retailers and DTC brands shave days off transit times and avoid millions in

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is no stranger to rate adjustments, but the latest proposal for 2026 signals a significant escalation that's set to ripple through supply chains nationwide. With average increases ranging from 5.1% to 7.8% across key services, shippers—especially those in e-commerce and small parcel logistics—face higher costs just as holiday volumes peak. At Gain Consulting, we specialize in helping businesses optimize transportation spend, and these c

In the ever-evolving landscape of global supply chains and economic indicators, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) has released its latest Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) data for September 2025. The numbers paint a picture of deceleration: the Freight TSI fell 2.1% from August 2025, snapping a two-month growth streak, and declined 1.2% year-over-year from September 2024. This downturn extends to the Passenger TSI, wh