Transportation prices surge to 92.7 as capacity contracts further in September

In September, the Logistics Managers’ Index reported transportation prices at 92.7, up 2.7 points from August, while transportation capacity fell to 34.4, down 5.6 points sequentially. The overall LMI rose to 70.2, up 3.6 points, marking its second‑highest reading in four and a half years.

Warehouse capacity dropped to 39.3, a 14.2‑point decline that pushed it into contraction territory, the fastest such drop since March 2022. Aggregate logistics costs, combining inventory, warehousing and transportation, reached 246.1, up 2.5 points from the prior month. The pricing index has stayed at 90 or above in five of the last six months, and capacity has signaled contraction for ten straight months.

The pricing index has logged readings of 90 or above in five of the past six months. The dataset has signaled contraction for 10 straight months. (June’s 71.1 reading was the highest level recorded over that period.)

What we know

• Transportation prices index was 92.7, up 2.7 points from August

• Transportation capacity was 34.4, down 5.6 points sequentially

• Overall LMI was 70.2, up 3.6 points in September

• Warehouse capacity was 39.3, down 14.2 points into contraction territory

• Aggregate logistics costs totaled 246.1, up 2.5 points sequentially