Thomas Bene, chief executive of the food services company Sysco (SYY), told analysts last week that freight costs are "somewhat challenging" and "everyone is seeing that." A lonely haulThe trucking industry is a boom-and-bust business, tied closely to the fate of the economy. Trucking companies hired easily and gas stayed cheap, which kept costs from spiraling. The longer-term contract rates that big suppliers negotiate with major carriers usually follow the spot market, which means freight costs should stay high in coming months. Higher prices for consumersHow the freight costs translate into higher prices will vary by industry.

Source: CNN May 14, 2018 18:45 UTC