Tender Rejections Jump 14%: Labor Day Tightens Freight

Tender rejections are back above 14%, and Labor Day is already tightening the freight market. In this SONAR update, FreightWaves breaks down why rejection rates are rising faster than the last three years, what that says about capacity, and why even modest demand moves can still disrupt this market. We also look at tender volumes, van volatility, and what flatbed and reefer spot rates are signaling next. The national Tender Rejection Index has crossed back above 14% for the first time since early August, driven by the leading edge of Labor Day demand — and the move is outpacing rejection rate increases seen over each of the past three years during the same holiday window, according to FreightWaves SONAR data reviewed Thursday. The surge comes after what many in the industry characterized as a stabilization period, during which rejection rates hovered around 13.