DAT Barometers Help Predict Rate Trends

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Broughton Capital, LLC, an independent financial research firm, has developed a set of tools for the truckload industry called “DAT Freight Barometers.” These barometers were developed using proprietary econometric algorithms and are based on data from DAT’s truckload freight marketplace and the DAT RateView database.

According to Broughton Capital, these tools provide “predictive value in determining the magnitude and direction of trends in both spot and contract market rates, as well as predictive value for the overall economy.”

Broughton Capital selected DAT as a partner because of the breadth and depth of DAT’s vast load board network which expects to host 141 million posted loads and trucks in 2017 (about 485,000 loads per business day) and DAT’s truckload rates database, which houses more than $33 billion of spot and contract freight payments.

“We have long considered DAT the equivalent of the NYSE and NASDAQ of trucking,” said Donald Broughton, managing partner of Broughton Capital. Broughton focuses on financial performance of companies in the transportation sector, and the underlying goods flow and economic factors driving that performance.

Freight barometers based on DAT data have been developed for the three major equipment types, van, flatbed and refrigerated vans. The index has been constructed to function similar to the Institute of Supply Management (ISM) indices in that a value of 50 serves as “neutral” or “in-balance.” Values above 50 indicate that demand exceeds capacity, while values below 50 indicate that capacity exceeds demand.

If you would like to receive weekly updates showing the DAT Freight Barometers, subscribe to the Broughton Capital newsletter.

Above is the DAT Freight Barometer for vans. Values above 50 indicate that demand exceeds capacity, while values below 50 indicate that capacity exceeds demand.

Above is the DAT Freight Barometer for reefers. Values above 50 indicate that demand exceeds capacity, while values below 50 indicate that capacity exceeds demand.

Above is the DAT Freight Barometer for flatbeds. Values above 50 indicate that demand exceeds capacity, while values below 50 indicate that capacity exceeds demand.

 

To learn more about DAT RateView or request a demo, please contact our award-winning customer service team at 800.551.8847 or complete this online form.

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