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.
Tesla Autopilot Chief Jim Keller Latest Executive to Leave Company
Tesla Inc.’s Autopilot chief, Jim Keller, has left the company, the latest in a rash of executive departures at the electric-car maker led by CEO Elon Musk.
Orders for Capital Equipment in March Ease Unexpectedly
Orders placed with U.S. factories for business equipment eased unexpectedly last month after a smaller February advance, indicating a more moderate pace of capital spending, a Commerce Department report showed April 26
California Republicans Hope to Ride a Gas-Tax Repeal to Victory
In a Central Valley, Calif., barn decked out in red, white and blue, dairyman and state Senate candidate Johnny Tacherra drew cheers from a crowd of fellow farmers when he said he opposes the California Legislature’s hike on gas taxes and vehicle fees.
Prices Rise 3% in March as Used-Truck Volumes Remain Strong
The average Class 8 truck sold in March underscored that more mileage on a younger truck need not be a detriment to a higher sales price — as the overall volume stayed in the mid-20,000 range.
Bid to Restrict Lanes for Big Trucks in Baton Rouge Area Dies in House
A bid to ease Baton Rouge traffic problems by requiring big trucks to stay in the right lane during evening rush hour died April 25.
FHWA Announces Plan for Updated Truck Parking Survey
The Federal Highway Administration has notified state transportation officials and private truck stop operators that it is drawing plans to update the 2014 nationwide “Jason’s Law” survey that assessed the availability of truck driver parking.
Alberta Drillers Near Deals With Railroads, Potentially Easing Oil Logjam
Alberta’s beleaguered oil industry may get some relief from its persistent shipping bottlenecks in the second half of the year as producers strike deals with rail companies to move more crude.
April 26, 2018Jobless Claims Decline on Return of New York School Workers
U.S. filings for unemployment benefits plunged to the lowest level since 1969, mainly reflecting the return of educational service workers in New York state, figures showed April 26.
Downturn in Oil Field Services Slashes Profits for Mullen Group
A surge in revenue from truckload freight hauling was enough to offset a downturn in oil field services for Canada’s Mullen Group, but the extra profits from trucking weren’t enough to salvage the company’s bottom line, which took a big hit in the first quarter.
U.S. Bank: Truck Freight Services Spending Grew 25% in 2017
Spending on truck freight services surged nearly 25% and freight shipments grew 12.6% in 2017 as the economy expanded and the trucking industry paid more to obtain capacity and on driver compensation, according to the U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index.