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Freight Market Recovery Underway, Industry Veteran Says Rates Won't Fall

Kevin Nolan, founder of Sopa Creek and serial freight brokerage entrepreneur, projects freight rates will remain elevated for the next 18 months. He cites mid-summer contract re-rating activity as evidence of genuine market recovery. Tender rejection rates fell from 17% to 14% in August, remaining unusually high for the season and signaling that carriers and shippers are settling at mutually acceptable rates rather than capitulating to lower pricing. The July timing of contract re-ratings breaks historical patterns, with negotiations typically occurring in October and November. Nolan interprets this shift as confirmation that shippers underpriced contracts in previous cycles and now accept higher rates. On the legal front, he characterized a $604 million verdict against C. Robinson in Texas as transformative for the brokerage sector, noting the company's dominant market position makes challenging the judgment necessary. Despite litigation risk, Nolan acquired additional C. Robinson stock following the verdict, citing the company's 60% stock appreciation over 18 months.