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.
Consumer Sentiment in US Increases Less Than Forecast in May
Consumer confidence in the United States climbed less than forecast in May as Americans were a little less ebullient about the economy’s prospects in the run up to the presidential election, the University of Michigan’s report showed May 27.
May 27, 2016Amazon Doubles Its Warehouse Presence in Illinois, California Cities
Amazon announced plans to at least double its presence in Joliet, Illinois, and Tracy, California, adding second warehouses in both locations that will bring thousands of jobs to those communities.
US Economy Grew Faster Than Anticipated in First Quarter
The U.S. economy expanded at a slightly faster pace in the first quarter than previously estimated, as gross domestic product rose at a 0.8% annualized rate in the three months ended in March.
May 27, 2016Sponsors, Logo Revealed for 2016 National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
Help Inc., Velociti, U.S. Legal Services, SmartDrive and Trucker Path will be key sponsors for 2016 National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, American Trucking Associations announced May 26.
May 27, 2016Oil Eases Gains After Exceeding $50 for First Time This Year
Crude prices in New York and London briefly breached the long-anticipated $50-a-barrel barrier May 26, with West Texas Intermediate touching as high as $50.21 before paring gains and closing at $49.48 on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
May 26, 2016Nafta Freight Value Falls 5.8% in March; Trucking Mode Decline Was Slightest
The total value of U.S. cross-border freight with Canada and Mexico in March fell 5.8% to $90.5 billion from March 2015, while the value of commodities moving by truck declined 1.1%, the smallest decrease of any mode.
May 26, 2016ATRI Survey: Sleep Apnea Studies Costly to Drivers
More than half of drivers who have been asked to participate in sleep apnea studies paid more than 150% of their median weekly pay to do so, a survey released by the American Transportation Research Institute on May 26 revealed.
FTR’s Latest Shippers Condition Index Falls to Near Neutral
Research company FTR said its latest Shippers Conditions Index fell to a near-neutral reading of 0.4 in March after improving for each of the four previous months.
May 26, 2016Bekins Northwest Expands in Eastern Washington
Bekins Northwest announced it acquired the assets of Clancy's Transfer & Storage Inc. to better serve customers in Walla Walla, Washington, and surrounding areas.
May 26, 2016Sen. Cory Gardner Asks Colleagues to Oppose Excise Tax Increase on Trucks
The trucking industry is supporting a resolution that calls for no increase in the federal excise tax on heavy-duty trucks.