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 Home Prices Surge 6.2%, Outpacing Wage Growth
U.S. home prices climbed a robust 6.2 percent from a year ago, amid strong demand from would-be buyers and a shrinking supply of properties for sale.
America’s Hottest Oil Play Just Needs a Few Thousand Truckers
When the price of oil collapsed in 2014 and disrupted drilling operations all across Texas’ massive Permian Basin shale formation, truckers were among those hardest hit.
ATA President Chris Spear Proposes Infrastructure Fund at Senate Transportation Hearing
WASHINGTON — American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear asked Congress to consider establishing an infrastructure fund capable of generating about $340 billion over 10 years.
Trucking Executive Outlines Tax Reform’s Benefits for Industry
The incoming tax reform bill could be a welcome holiday gift for truckers, according to Barry Pottle, president of Pottle’s Transportation and first vice chairman of American Trucking Associations.
Greek Shipper Bets $1 Billion on Fuel Rule Upending World Trade
A Greek shipowner is predicting new rules for marine fuel will put thousands of the world’s merchant vessels out of business in the next two years, roiling global trade. In fact, he’s wagering $1.1 billion on it.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell: ‘A Lot of Interest in Infrastructure’
Bipartisan support for infrastructure reform increases the chances for the Senate to take up a transportation bill next year, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Dec. 21.
If You Hate Driving in the Snow, a Robot Can Now Do It For You
Self-driving cars may be the future, but relinquishing control of the wheel certainly takes some getting used to. It’s one thing to go (slowly) with the flow on well-marked city streets, for which many self-driving cars were initially developed and tested, but what happens when you throw icy winter road conditions into the mix?
New Deal Sends Autonomous Caterpillar Trucks to Australia
Another fleet of mining trucks will join the growing ranks of machines operating autonomously using Caterpillar Inc. systems in Australia next year, reflecting the company’s push to cement industry partnerships with proprietary technology.
Analysis: FedEx’s Good News Could Get Big League
FedEx Corp.’s delivery truck is heading in the right direction, but the turbo-charge from Uncle Sam won’t hurt. The $65 billion company reported earnings after the close of trading on Dec. 20, besting analysts’ quarterly estimates and raising its full-year outlook.
Jobless Claims Rise by Most Since Storms to Five-Week High
U.S. filings for unemployment benefits jumped to the highest in five weeks, though the level remained low by historical standards, Labor Department figures showed Dec. 21.