Core Insights - DAT Freight & Analytics will showcase new business tools and lead educational sessions at the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) from March 26–28, 2026, at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville [2] - This MATS marks the first appearance of DAT Outgo and Convoy Platform as part of the DAT family, integrating the largest freight marketplace with factoring, automation, and digital freight matching [2] Company Highlights - DAT One is North America's largest load board and freight marketplace, connecting carriers with truckload freight across the U.S. and Canada [4] - DAT Outgo is a fully integrated non-recourse freight factoring solution designed to accelerate payment and stabilize cash flow [4] - The Convoy Platform automates load matching, booking, tracking, and payments through the free Convoy app [4] Event Participation - MATS is the largest event for trucking professionals in North America, attracting tens of thousands of drivers, fleets, and industry suppliers annually [5] - DAT will present various events, including a silent auction for the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund and a new radio show, The Great Freight Breakfast Plate [7] - Educational sessions will cover topics such as managing cash flow in the current freight market and using data to strengthen pricing power for owner-operators [7]

Core Insights - Truckload freight volumes showed a slight decrease in February but remained stable on a daily basis, with spot market van and refrigerated rates increasing for the seventh consecutive month [1][3] - The DAT Truckload Volume Index (TVI) indicated a decline across all freight segments, but the drop was less than expected, suggesting a rise in daily average freight volume compared to January [1][2] Freight Volume Trends - The TVI was down approximately 6% year-over-year across all freight categories compared to February 2025 [2] - The van TVI was recorded at 210, down 5% from January, while the reefer TVI was at 173, down 7%, and the flatbed TVI was at 256, down 1% [12] Rate Developments - National average spot and contract rates increased month-over-month due to tightened truckload capacity, influenced by three winter storms disrupting freight networks [3] - Spot van rates averaged $2.41 per mile, up 9 cents from January, while spot reefer rates reached $2.88 per mile, up 7 cents, and spot flatbed rates were at $2.72 per mile, up 14 cents [13] Fuel Costs Impact - The national average price for on-highway diesel rose to $3.71 per gallon in February, a 6% increase from January and about 1% higher than February 2025 [5] - The average van fuel surcharge climbed to 41 cents per mile in February, up from 38 cents in January, reflecting the rising diesel prices [5] Market Dynamics - The gap between spot and contract van rates narrowed to its smallest since March 2022, indicating a movement towards balance in freight demand and available truck capacity [4] - Carriers may need to negotiate higher spot rates to compensate for rising diesel prices, which could lead to more exits from the market, potentially accelerating supply-side recovery [7]

Core Insights - The integration of the Convoy tech stack into the AscendTMS transportation management system marks a significant step in the revival of AscendTMS, which is primarily known for its load board services [1] - The Convoy Platform, previously developed by the now-closed digital brokerage Convoy, is now fully integrated into AscendTMS, allowing brokers to conduct digital freight matching and transactions [5][6] Group 1: Integration and Functionality - The integration of the Convoy Platform into AscendTMS is described as one of the most comprehensive partnerships undertaken by AscendTMS [2] - AscendTMS connects to approximately 90 factoring companies, enhancing its service offerings [3] - The Convoy Platform requires integration with a TMS to function, as it relies on the data contained within the TMS for broker and carrier collaboration [6] Group 2: Historical Context and Ownership - The "old" Convoy was previously available through AscendTMS before Convoy's closure in October 2023, after which the technology was sold to Flexport and then to DAT [4] - DAT, a subsidiary of Roper Technologies, has now reintroduced the Convoy Platform into AscendTMS, which is positioned as the only multi-tenant TMS supporting this platform [6] Group 3: Operational Process - A load posted to the DAT load board will be processed through the Convoy Platform, enabling instant matching with certified carriers [7] - The process allows users to complete load bookings through full digitization, streamlining operations for brokers and carriers [7]