Characterize the news's sentiment using the following options.
Options: negative, positive

As the Class I railroads gear up for earnings season this week and next, commentary about the first quarter of 2022 will likely include discussion about how the railroads' recent hiring initiatives will translate into improving service metrics in the second half of the year. However, a potential softening in freight transportation demand plus higher inflation rates are market factors that could weigh on the second half of 2022.
negative