Softer, but steady: slower demand doesn't mean downturn, truckload carriers say; J.B. Hunt, Landstar see strong growth.(Transportation: Trucking)

Largetruckload carriers noted a softening of business during the second quarter. But with shippers and carriers anxious to see which way the pricing-capacity pendulum is swinging, the truckers said no downturn is underway as they reported solid quarterly results.

"Demand has slowed from 2004, but there is no credible evidence that capacity, significant enough to materially impact the market, is entering the truckload industry" said J.B. Hunt Transport Services. "On the contrary, we see a shrinking supply of independent contractors which we believe is a significant proxy for the flight of thousands of smaller and struggling motor carriers."

At the same time, …