Powered by an expanding domestic economy and lower fuel prices, FDX Corp., the parent of Federal Express Corp. and RPS Inc., posted better-than-expected profits in its second fiscal quarter.

Consolidated Freightways said it expects its fourth-quarter earnings to be substantially better than consensus estimates of 28 cents a share.

Penske Logistics was named lead logistics provider for Whirlpool Corp.’s regional distribution system.

Is another big-time merger among less-than-truckload carriers in the offing.

Captive rail shippers pleaded with the Surface Transportation Board last week to “restore and enhance” competition in the Houston and Gulf Coast areas by granting other railroads access to Union Pacific lines and allowing some customers to build links to other carriers.

Xtra Corp. ended merger discussions with Apollo Management and Interpool Inc. and said it intends to remain an independent public company.

The Surface Transportation Board extended for one year the authority of motor carrier rate bureaus to set rates and the National Classification Committee to establish commodity classes for freight moving by truck.

Arkansas Best Corp. said its Treadco Inc. subsidiary settled its long-running dispute with Bandag Inc. over Bandag’s recruitment of Treadco executives and attempts to divert customers from Treadco.

Is another big-time merger among less-than-truckload carriers in the offing?

Captive rail shippers pleaded with the Surface Transportation Board last week to “restore and enhance” competition in the Houston and Gulf Coast areas by granting other railroads access to Union Pacific lines.