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📊 Daily Market Intelligence Report

Thursday, February 12, 2026

7:00 AM CST


📊 Top-Line Summary

Spot market momentum is accelerating significantly heading into the weekend, with total available loads jumping to 133,471—a strong increase from yesterday's 130,875. This surge has pushed the total market opportunity to $168.0M, the highest point this week. The most critical development for brokers is the widening spread in the Reefer sector, where paid rates ($2.70/mile) have now aggressively outpaced posted rates ($2.53/mile) by 17 cents. This indicates urgent, unposted premiums are being paid to secure capacity, likely driven by freeze protection needs and weather disruptions in the West. Flatbed volume remains the volume leader, but Van rates are also firming with paid rates ($2.25/mile) exceeding posted averages ($2.18/mile). Brokers should aggressively price reefer freight today and expect carriers to demand premiums on lanes touching the Rockies or Pacific Northwest due to severe winter weather.

Daily market overview

⛽ Diesel Price Analysis

Price Trend Over Time

Diesel Price Trend Chart

AAA Historical Price Comparison

AAA Historical Price Comparison Chart

🌦️ Weather & Seasonal Intelligence

Current Major Weather Events:

💰 Financial Market Indicators

📰 Impactful News Analysis

  1. FMCSA Finalizes Stricter Non-Domiciled CDL Rules 🔗:
    The FMCSA has finalized a rule requiring rigorous history checks for non-domiciled CDLs, limiting eligibility to specific visa holders (H-2A, H-2B, E-2). While a 5-year transition period softens the immediate blow, brokers should expect gradual tightening of cross-border capacity and potential rate increases on Mexico-US lanes as the pool of eligible drivers shrinks over time.
  2. Rising Costs Drive 29-Year-Old Carrier to Bankruptcy 🔗:
    Another established regional carrier, Robert Bearden Trucking, has filed for Chapter 11, citing spot rates failing to keep pace with inflation. This underscores the financial fragility of mid-sized fleets; brokers should vet carrier partners carefully and can use this narrative to justify fair rates to shippers to ensure service stability.
  3. EPA to Roll Back Greenhouse Gas Findings 🔗:
    The EPA is set to revoke a key scientific finding underpinning GHG regulations. While this creates long-term regulatory uncertainty for equipment manufacturers, the immediate impact for brokers is minimal. However, it may eventually alter the cost trajectory for new equipment, potentially affecting future carrier equipment investments.

🔍 Competitive Intelligence

👥 Customer Sector Analysis

🗺️ Regional & Lane Analysis

📍 Primary Region Focus: Southeast Region (Atlanta/Charlotte Hubs)

The Southeast remains the most reliable profit center for brokers today. While the West fights weather and the Northeast deals with congestion, the Southeast offers a balanced mix of volume and capacity. Rates are firming but manageable, and the region is insulated from the severe winter weather impacting other areas.

🛣️ Key Lane Watch

Atlanta, GA → Columbus, OH:

This lane is a classic backhaul-to-headhaul connector. With national van rates firming, carriers leaving the robust Atlanta market for the Midwest will demand fair rates, especially given the potential for winter weather impacts further north. Capacity is generally available but tightening as the weekend approaches.

Charlotte, NC → Orlando, FL:

A strong southbound lane into a consumption market. Florida demand remains consistent. With the Southeast being a stable pocket, this lane offers reliable volume. However, carriers may be reluctant to go deep into Florida without a guaranteed backhaul, keeping rates firm.

🚨 Actionable Alerts

Rate Spike Warnings:

Capacity Shortage Alerts:

Opportunity Zones:

🎯 Strategic Recommendations for Today

💼 For Customer Sales:

Narrative: National data shows a distinct firming in the market, with paid rates exceeding posted averages in both Van and Reefer sectors. We are seeing significant weather disruptions in the West that are tightening capacity nationally as drivers reposition. To ensure on-time delivery for weekend freight, we need to price at current market levels to secure reliable trucks.

Action: Proactively adjust quotes for any reefer freight or loads moving through the Mountain West. Advise customers of potential weather delays.

🚛 For Carrier Reps:

Sourcing Focus: Prioritize sourcing for Reefer loads immediately – the spread is huge. Look for carriers in the Southeast who want to stay regional.

Negotiation Leverage: For flatbed, use the data showing paid rates are slightly below posted to negotiate fair market rates. For van/reefer, acknowledge the tight market but emphasize quick payment and reliable lanes to win capacity.

🧭 Savvy Broker's Playbook

🔑 Executive Signal Summary


📊 National Spot Snapshot (use exact figures)


⚙️ Market Context: What’s Driving Today


🚀 Immediate Money Plays (next 24–48 hours)


🗺️ Regional Tactics


💵 Pricing Guardrails (protect margin with transparency)


🤝 Carrier Ops & Negotiation Talk Tracks


🌦 Weather-to-Freight Playbook (72 hours)


📰 What This News Means for Today


🛡 Risk Controls and SOPs (non-negotiable)


🔭 24–72 Hour Scenario Map


📋 AM → PM Execution Checklist


📈 Midday Metrics To Recheck


🧠 Sales Talk Tracks (use as-is)


🧮 Quick Reference Spreads (today)


📅 This Day in History

1771: Gustav III becomes the King of Sweden.
1963: Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 705 crashes into the Everglades shortly after takeoff from Miami International Airport, killing all 45 people on board.
1992: The current Constitution of Mongolia comes into effect.

💭 Quote of the Day

"Unless you change how you are, you will always have what you got."

— Jim Rohn