A new report based on a comparison of spot and contract rates for truckload carriers continues to show an ever-widening gap between prices for one-time and long-term freight shipments.

November freight trends generally are improving, most fleet executives and experts say, but a repeat of the strong 2014 pre-holiday freight peak that bolstered fleets appears to be more hope than fact so far.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The domestic heavy-duty truck market is poised for significant growth this year and in 2015, an analyst from IHS Automotive told an audience of manufacturing and supplier executives.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Demand for new Class 8 equipment should rise about 15% next year, powered by a stronger domestic freight market and the ongoing need to replace old tractors, ACT Research reported.

Trucking stocks have suffered a thrashing this month from in­vestors as the overall stock market bounced up and down, pressured by worries about European debt, the United States’ debt downgrade and the global economy, but several analysts expressed confidence in the industry.

Indications are growing that carriers, brokers and shippers are shifting freight-buying habits to make more use of spot markets and load boards as freight capacity continues to tighten, sources said.

Shippers are making heavy use of the truckload spot market to find freight haulers, leading to more loads and better rates — particularly for flatbed and refrigerated carriers — and worries for brokers who find themselves “under water” on some contracts with shippers.