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The latest DAT Trendlines report of spot freight market activity and rate trends shows increases in loads and few signs of changes in rates.

The Sept. 5 report from DAT, part of Portland, Ore.-based TransCore, showed a 7.6% rise in spot market loads during the Aug. 25-31 period, compared with the prior seven-day period, and a 16% increase in spot market loads on a year-over-year basis last month.

Rates for van loads during the most recent weekly period stayed the same at $1.84 per mile as the week before, an amount that excludes fuel surcharges. Those rates dropped 2 cents per mile over a four-week period.

Flatbed rates also remained in a narrow range, staying at $2.19 per mile for two consecutive weeks and ending the four-week period down by 1 cent per mile.

In the refrigerated sector, rates remained at $2.11 per mile in both of the most recent weeks and have dropped 9 cents per mile over the four-week measurement period.

On a year-over-year basis, during August, van rates were 3.4% higher while flatbed dipped 4.4% and refrigerated rates inched up by 0.5%.

The weekly report also showed a 0.3% drop in spot market capacity for the Aug. 25-31 week, compared with the week before, though month-to-month capacity was 3.2% higher.