Multiple LTL carriers report August volume declines

Core Insights - Several LTL (Less Than Truckload) firms are experiencing volume declines in August 2025 compared to the previous year, indicating a sluggish freight environment influenced by consumer hesitancy and mixed demand levels [3][4]. Group 1: Volume and Revenue Changes - Old Dominion Freight Line, XPO, and Saia reported year-over-year declines in tonnage, while ArcBest noted a 2% increase in its asset-based operating segment [8]. - Old Dominion experienced a 4.7% increase in billed revenue per hundredweight, reflecting the ongoing softness in the domestic economy [9]. - ArcBest reported a 1% increase in revenue per day, indicating some resilience amid the overall decline in volumes [9]. Group 2: Economic Factors and Company Strategies - Companies cited macroeconomic pressures such as continued softness in manufacturing and housing activity as reasons for the decline in weight per shipment [5]. - Old Dominion emphasized its long-term positioning to win freight despite current economic challenges [5]. - ArcBest is expected to benefit from approximately $25 million in net proceeds from real estate sales in Q3, which may help improve its margins [4]. Group 3: Shipment and Weight Trends - Shipments per day declined across most carriers, with Saia being the exception, posting a slight 0.1% increase in weight per shipment year-over-year [8]. - The decline in weight per shipment was attributed to reliance on outside freight haulers as hiring increases in new markets [5].