10/07/2026
Todd Amen, Chairman & CEO of ATBS, recently spoke with JPMorgan about the current trucking market. Here are the five key takeaways from the conversation:
1. Owner-operator profitability is improving. ATBS data shows average net income rose 10.4% year over year to about $78,500, with June marking the first time average net income surpassed $1 per mile.
2. New-carrier growth is being slowed by FMCSA’s Motus system. New authority approvals have dropped significantly, creating a growing backlog of carriers waiting to enter the market.
3. Drivers are staying put. Higher earnings and uncertainty around diesel prices, insurance, and starting a new authority are contributing to historically low driver turnover.
4. Smaller and newer carriers face tougher vetting. Brokers and shippers are increasingly requiring more operating history, higher insurance coverage, and clean inspection records before working with carriers.
5. Capacity exits could continue supporting rates. ATBS expects continued FMCSA enforcement and other capacity reductions to push more non-compliant operators out of the market, potentially supporting stronger contract and spot rates over the next several years.