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.
Micron Clinches Up to $13.6 Billion in US Grants, Loans
The U.S. plans to award Micron Technology Inc. $6.1 billion in grants and as much as $7.5 billion in loans to help the memory-chip maker build new American factories.
Hertz Reports $392 Million Loss
Hertz reported a loss that was nearly three times worse than analysts expected as it accelerated sales of electric vehicles to reduce its fleet of Tesla models that have weighed on profits.
Amazon Web Services to Build Data Center in Northern Indiana
NEW CARLISLE, Ind. — Amazon Web Services plans to invest $11 billion to build a data center in northern Indiana that will create at least 1,000 new jobs, state and company officials announced.
April 25, 2024Caterpillar Volumes Slip From Year-Ago Levels
Caterpillar Inc. reported first-quarter results that showed machinery sales slipping from a year earlier and warned that the trend is expected to continue in its second quarter.
Union Pacific’s First-Quarter Profit Creeps Up 1%
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific’s first-quarter profit crept 1% higher as the railroad tightened up on expenses — particularly its fuel bill — even though it delivered slightly less freight.
Economic Growth Slowed Sharply Last Quarter to 1.6% Pace
WASHINGTON — The nation’s economy slowed last quarter, growing at an annual rate of 1.6% in a sign that the high interest rates may be taking a toll on borrowing and spending.
Ford Beats Sales Estimates on Strong Demand for Work Trucks
Ford Motor Co., rapidly retooling its electric vehicle strategy in a decelerating market for plug-ins, posted first-quarter results that beat expectations on strong sales of work trucks.
Tonnage Numbers Hit 13th Month of Declines
Truck tonnage reached 13 consecutive months of year-over-year declines after a slight decrease in March, American Trucking Associations reported April 23.
Softer Global Truck Tire Demand Drags on Michelin Q1 Sales
Michelin posted a 4.1% year-over-year decrease in tire sales in the first quarter of 2024, citing softer overall demand in the truck and specialty tire segments.
As Q1 Profit Falls 55%, Tesla to Focus on Cheaper Vehicles
Tesla’s first-quarter net income plummeted 55%, but its stock price surged in after-hours trading April 23 as the company said it would accelerate production of more affordable vehicles.