Werner Enterprises warned Monday that Q3 profit will fall short, pointing to the same fuel, driver and insurance claims costs squeezing small carriers.
Werner Issues Q3 Profit Warning
- Werner preannounced weaker third-quarter earnings Monday, a sign that even large fleets are struggling with costs.
- Fuel, driver pay and insurance claims were cited as the drivers, which are the same pressures hitting owner-operators.
- Box truck operator Telly Arnold says newcomers often learn about insurance deposits, claims and breakdowns only after chasing revenue.
- Know your cost per mile before booking loads; thin margins leave little room for surprise expenses.
Source: FreightWaves: Werner Enterprises issues Q3 profit warning · FreightWaves: Box truck carrier’s pivots show new fleets must know costs
Truckload Capacity Still Not Recovering
- Despite months of rate inflation, data shows no sign that truckload capacity is coming back.
- Many in the market expected a rebound by now, so carriers should plan around current conditions rather than a quick turnaround.
Source: FreightWaves: No signs of truckload capacity recovering
Legal Risk Stays High
- A Texas judge affirmed the nuclear verdict against C.H. Robinson, keeping large-verdict risk front and center for insurers.
- Big verdicts that hold up on appeal tend to feed into the claims costs carriers see at renewal.
- A California trucking company owner pleaded guilty in a $2.1M identity theft scheme affecting nearly 100 people.
Source: FreightWaves: Texas judge upholds nuclear verdict against C.H. Robinson · FreightWaves: California trucking owner pleads guilty in $2.1M identity theft scheme
Peak Season Signals
- DHL Group raised its 2026 outlook on expectations for a strong peak season.
- FedEx and UPS delivery prices are set for a record-high Q4 as peak surcharges kick in, according to the TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index.
- Port of Savannah plans a 3.5M TEU terminal and expects to handle 12 million TEUs annually once it is built.
Source: FreightWaves: DHL Group boosts guidance on expectations for strong peak season · Supply Chain Dive: FedEx, UPS delivery prices set for record-high Q4 · Supply Chain Dive: Port of Savannah to build 3.5M TEU container terminal
Border Freight Under Pressure
- A U.S. trucking crackdown is raising concerns about freight disruptions on Mexico cross-border lanes.
- Carriers running border freight should watch for delays and shifting demand as enforcement tightens.
Source: FreightWaves: Borderlands Mexico: US trucking crackdown raises concerns over freight disruptions
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