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.
US-China Trade War Could Last 20 Years, Alibaba Founder Jack Ma Says
GENEVA — Alibaba founder Jack Ma said Oct. 2 that the trade dispute between the United States and China could last 20 years. But he expressed hope that a solution could be reached as a trade war would “hurt everybody.”
October 2, 2018Shipping Costs for Liquefied Natural Gas Expected to Rise
Liquefied natural gas shipping costs will increase, driven by rising charter rates, higher fuel costs and the growth in interbasin trade flows, according to estimations by Fitch Solutions Macro Research.
PepsiCo’s Beverage Business Bounces Back as New CEO Takes Over
Indra Nooyi is stepping aside amid signs of a turnaround in PepsiCo Inc.’s drinks business. The company’s struggling North American beverage unit returned to growth in the third quarter, helping the company beat earnings estimates as the longtime CEO hands the reins to deputy Ramon Laguarta on Oct. 3.
October 2, 2018Shell, Partners Announce $31 Billion LNG Canada Investment
Royal Dutch Shell and its partners announced an agreement to invest in a multibillion-dollar liquefied natural gas project in western Canada — the largest of its kind in years that will carve out the fastest route to Asia for North American gas.
October 2, 2018Booming Freight Market Creates Ideal Time to Raise Rates, Driver Pay, McLeod CEO Says
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — With the freight market booming and truck capacity constrained, now is an ideal time for fleets to fine-tune their freight networks, push for higher rates and increase driver pay, McLeod Software CEO Tom McLeod says.
Diesel Spikes 4.2¢ to $3.313 a Gallon
The U.S. average retail price of diesel spiked 4.2 cents to $3.313 a gallon as oil prices climbed to levels not seen in four years. Besides oil prices being at a four-year high, diesel is at its highest price since Dec. 15, 2014, when it was $3.419.
Marathon Closes $23 Billion Deal With Texas Refining Firm Andeavor
Marathon Petroleum Corp. officially closed a $23.3 billion deal Oct. 1 in which it acquired all the outstanding shares of Texas refining company Andeavor.
Capitol Agenda for the Week of Oct. 1: T&I Chairmanship and the Elephants in the Room
The two Republicans vying for the chairmanship of the transportation panel in the House say they will make it a priority to craft legislation aimed at rebuilding the country’s roads and bridges. Here's a look at the week ahead for trucking on Capitol Hill.
US Factories Grew at Slower Pace in September
WASHINGTON — U.S. factories grew at a slower pace in September as manufacturers continued to cope with supply disruptions stemming from trade disputes with China, Europe, Mexico and Canada.
FTR Adds Intermodal Insights to Web-Based Platform
Freight-industry research firm FTR announced the release of its Intermodal Dash, intended to deliver data and insights into the intermodal market place via the company’s new web-based forecasting platform Intelcast.
October 1, 2018