The Logistics Manager’s Index in the US increased to 69.9 in April 2026 from 65.7 in March, pointing to the strongest growth in the logistic sector since March 2022.

Transportation prices continue their sharp upward trajectory (95 vs 89.4), the second-fasted rate of expansion for this, or any, metric on record.

At the same time, inventory costs (74.7 vs 76.2) and warehousing prices (72.7 vs 67.4) remained elevated.

Meanwhile, transportation utilization increased (69.6 vs 62.9) but transportation capacity recorded the second lowest reading on record (28.4 vs 39.2).

Freight markets were already on a strong upward trajectory coming into 2026, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and subsequent increase in fuel costs have supercharged these movements.

Inventory level expanded faster (56.3 vs 54.8), as firms consolidate shipments to avoid transportation surcharges.

Warehousing capacity (45.5 vs 46) fell faster but warehousing utilization (64.4 vs 59.8) expanded more.
Source: Trading Economics