Business

Transportation and logistics firm C.H. Robinson Worldwide's 2006 net income rose to $266.9 million or $1.53 a share, up from $203.4 million or $1.16 in 2005.

President Bush on Tuesday warned against erecting global trade barriers during a visit to heavy-duty engine manufacturer Caterpillar’s East Peoria, Ill., headquarters, Bloomberg reported.

Crude oil futures posted their biggest one-day gain Tuesday since September 2005, rising on forecasts of continuing cold weather and expectations of a stronger U.S. economy, Bloomberg reported.

UPS Inc. reported its fourth-quarter net income rose 7.5% to $1.13 billion or $1.04 a share, up from $1.05 billion or 95 cents a year earlier.

Transportation firm Con-way Inc. earned $82.4 million or $1.66 a share in the fourth quarter, up from $49.9 million or 90 cents a year earlier.

The average retail price of diesel fuel fell 1.7 cents to $2.413 a gallon, the Energy Department reported Monday.

U.S. consumer confidence approached a five-year high this month, the New York-based Conference Board reported Tuesday.

Heavy-duty truck maker Paccar said Tuesday its fourth-quarter profit rose 22% to $380.5 million or $1.52 a share, from $312.9 million or $1.22 a year earlier.

Automobile carrier Performance Transportation Services said late Monday it emerged from its voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding.

Truckload carrier U.S. Xpress Enterprises reported its fourth-quarter net income fell to $6.4 million or 41 cents a share, from $7.1 million or 48 cents in the previous fourth quarter.