Business
Transport Topics business coverage focuses on the financial, economic, and commercial aspects of the modern freight business. Looking at both the microeconomic and macroeconomic forces shaping bottom lines, the news in this category includes labor news, jobs reports, tonnage and sales indicators, operations analysis, money and banking, mergers, acquisitions, e-commerce, bankruptcy, insurance issues, and more.
Tight Used Truck Market Spurs Higher Prices in February
Sales of used Class 8 trucks dropped amid ongoing tight inventory in February and high demand as the average truck’s price climbed above $48,000, ACT Research Co. reported.
Is There a Truck Driver Shortage or Not? ATA Says Research Paper Made ‘Critical Errors’
The chief economist for American Trucking Associations has criticized a research paper written by a university professor and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics official that questioned the severity of the truck driver shortage decried by many in the industry.
Presidential Candidate Amy Klobuchar Unveils $1 Trillion Infrastructure Plan
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar became the first Democratic presidential candidate to release a detailed federal infrastructure plan, calling for $1 trillion in investment and putting pressure on a wide field of contenders to come up with their own proposals.
Trucking Firms Optimistic About Economy Despite Driver Shortage
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Despite a perceived slowdown in the U.S. economy, 52% of small and medium-size carriers said they are growing and remain optimistic about business in 2019 and 2020, according to research by Bibby Financial Services of Georgia.
TMAF Celebrates Five Years of Enhancing Trucking’s Image
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A new poll has confirmed that a campaign to improve trucking’s image has been successful in nudging public perception toward a more positive image over the past five years, leaders of Trucking Moves America Forward said at a March 28 news conference here.
3 Easy Ways to Pull Ahead of Your Competition
Ever wonder what other fleets are doing to be successful? We talked to some of our safest and most productive customers to see what they’re doing differently. Join this session to hear how industry leaders have driven measurable impact through new, easy-to-deploy programs, and how you can use those same strategies for your fleet operations.
March 28, 2019GDP Declines in 4Q, Reflecting Consumer, Government Spending
U.S. economic growth cooled by more than initially reported last quarter on revisions to consumer and government spending, signaling mounting challenges to the expansion as it nears a record duration.
EPA Rushed Ethanol Plan so Trump Could Keep Pledge, Documents Show
After President Donald Trump promised Iowa voters he would unleash high-ethanol gasoline, his administration fast-tracked a plan to lift summertime restrictions on the fuel, forgoing studies of its potential price tag and hastily ending a review of the measure.
Smart, the Tiny Daimler Car That Refuses to Die, Heads to China
Since its introduction two decades ago, the diminutive Smart has sat awkwardly alongside the imposing, autobahn-eating cars that have made Daimler AG the king of the road.
March 28, 2019Jobless Claims Fall to Two-Month Low
Filings for U.S. unemployment benefits have fallen to a two-month low, suggesting the labor market remains healthy in data reflecting revisions going back to 2014.