Shippers are shifting to a more neutral outlook as they navigate the final quarter of 2025, according to the latest BlueGrace Logistics Confidence Index™ (LCI) from BlueGrace Logistics.
After a year marked by tariff-driven inventory pulls and economic uncertainty, this quarter's data shows a clear move to the middle, with reduced extremes in both positive and negative sentiment around inventory and order volume.
“We’re seeing the market settle into the middle,” says Jason Lockard, SVP of managed logistics at BlueGrace Logistics. “With rate drops on hold and ongoing uncertainty in trade policy, shippers are planning conservatively while staying flexible.”
Key takeaways:
· According to the Q4 2025 LCI, 60% of shippers now report neutral expectations for orders, up sharply from 33% last quarter.
· Inventory sentiment followed a similar path, with neutrality climbing amid signs that stock levels have stabilized following earlier replenishment surges.
· Revenue expectations remain positive overall, with only a modest increase in neutrality, indicating some rate adjustments are now reaching customers.
· As retailers enter peak season, many are expected to follow typical seasonal shipping patterns but with added focus on cost optimization and delivery reliability. The broader freight market is entering a phase of stability, but unpredictability around interest rates, tariffs, and demand signals means the “wait and see” mindset will likely continue into early 2026.
