Freight Inventory Levels Rebound, but Shippers Still Cautious Heading into 2026: Study

Shippers plan to enter 2026 with a cautious, measured outlook, according to the latest BlueGrace Logistics Confidence Index (LCI).

“The Q1 2026 Logistics Confidence Index points to a more measured tone across shippers. Revenue and order expectations moderated this quarter as most respondents shifted to a neutral outlook, reflecting cautious optimism amid persistent cost pressure,” says Randy Ofiara, VP of sales.

“The Q1 2026 LCI reflects a steady environment for truckload shippers, with freight rate volatility holding as the top concern. Although revenue expectations eased slightly, the strong consensus across all measures suggests a more predictable freight market taking shape,” adds Bryce Williford, SVP of 3PL services.

Key takeaways:

·       Neutral sentiment reached record highs, reflecting steadier expectations after a turbulent 2025.

• Revenue growth remained steady with an average forecast of 2%, while positive sentiment edged up slightly to 72%.
• Order growth softened from 55% to 44% as shippers adopted a “wait-and-see” approach.
• Inventory levels rebounded to 42% positive, signaling more stable stock management.
• The overall Consensus Index remained high at 94, indicating strong alignment across respondents.
• Freight rate volatility held its position as the top logistics challenge, rising 10.8% as pricing instability continues to pressure budgets. Fuel cost concerns increased nearly 10%, while inventory management dropped sharply, suggesting normalized supply chains.