Who was Donald Broughton and why was he important to the supply chain industry?

Donald Broughton was a veteran freight market analyst and founder of Broughton Capital, established in 2017. He was recognized for his ability to translate trucking and freight transportation data into forecasts about broader economic conditions. He appeared frequently on CNBC and at industry conferences like the Transportation Intermediaries Association annual meeting, providing insights to institutional investors and supply chain professionals seeking to understand market trends.

What was Broughton's background before founding Broughton Capital?

Broughton worked in research operations at several companies, including A.G. Edwards in St. Louis. He was hired at A.G. Edwards in the early 1990s by Thom Albrecht based on his background in distribution and transportation. He later worked for other financial services firms before establishing Broughton Capital in 2017, where he served as managing partner.

How did Broughton use freight data to forecast economic trends?

According to colleagues, Broughton had 'intimate knowledge of freight transportation data' that he used to draw conclusions about the broader economy. His approach was considered one of the most effective methods for using freight market signals as leading indicators of economic health. He was known for being thoughtful and forcing audiences to think about the world in different ways based on data-driven analysis.

What impact might Broughton's death have on freight market analysis and supply chain intelligence?

While his passing does not directly affect supply chain operations, it represents a loss of expertise within the specialized freight analysis community. Broughton was part of a small group of veteran analysts—alongside John Larkin and Thom Albrecht—whose deep institutional knowledge and decades of experience were highly valued. His absence may impact the availability of authoritative freight market commentary during economically uncertain periods.

When did Broughton die and what were his recent activities?

Broughton died unexpectedly at home on May 30. He was not known to have been ill. As recently as mid-April, he spoke at the Transportation Intermediaries Association annual meeting, and on May 12, he made a CNBC appearance where he provided a bullish outlook on the freight market. He was scheduled to deliver another freight market update to TIA members shortly after his passing.

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Freight Market Analyst Donald Broughton Dies Unexpectedly

Jun 9, 2026

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The signal

Donald Broughton, a highly respected freight market analyst and founder of Broughton Capital, passed away unexpectedly on May 30 at his home. Broughton was widely recognized as one of the most authoritative voices in trucking and freight analysis, having appeared frequently on CNBC and at major industry conferences. His death represents a notable loss to the supply chain and logistics community, which relied on his data-driven insights to understand broader economic trends through freight market dynamics. G.

Edwards in St. Louis before founding Broughton Capital in 2017. He was known for translating complex freight transportation data into actionable economic forecasts, a skillset that differentiated him among analysts. Colleagues in the industry, including John Larkin of Clarendon Partners and Thom Albrecht of Reliance Partners, described him as part of a small cohort of deeply knowledgeable veteran analysts whose institutional credibility and market experience were invaluable to investors and supply chain professionals seeking to understand economic conditions.

While Broughton's passing does not directly impact supply chain operations, it underscores the concentration of expertise within the freight analysis community and highlights the importance of knowledge transfer and succession planning in specialized research disciplines. For supply chain professionals who relied on his perspectives, the loss creates a gap in market commentary during a period when freight market signals remain critical indicators of economic health and demand forecasting accuracy.

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