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.
Heartland Express Net Income Rises 11%
Heartland Express Inc. net income rose 11% to $15.8 million, or 18 cents per share, from $14.3 million, or 17 cents per share, as fourth-quarter results reflected the acquisition of Gordon Trucking Inc. late last year.
January Truck Orders Surge 51.5%
New Class 8 truck orders climbed in January to their highest level in 33 months and surged 51.5% from year-ago levels, ACT Research reported.
Knight Agrees to Stop Pursuing USA Truck Takeover
Knight Transportation Inc. has agreed not to acquire any additional stake in USA Truck Inc. for the next seven months as part of a lawsuit settlement, the carriers said.
February 5, 2014C.H. Robinson Fourth-Quarter Earnings Drop
C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. reported fourth-quarter earnings fell 63.7% to $93 million, or 62 cents per share, from $256.4 million, or $1.58 per share a year ago.
February 5, 2014DAT Reports Rise in Weekly Load-Board Activity
Load-board activity as reported by DAT Trendlines showed a 5.9% rise in load volume for the week of Jan. 26-Feb. 1 compared with the previous week.
February 5, 2014BNSF to Spend $5 Billion on Capital Improvements in 2014
BNSF Railway said it will spend $5 billion on improvements to its rail network in 2014, $1 billion more than last year.
February 5, 2014Double Coin Tires Opens West Coast Distribution Center
Truck tire manufacturer Double Coin Tires has opened a distribution center in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., its second in North America.
February 5, 2014Shuster Rejects Higher Fuel Taxes
WASHINGTON — House Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) said he wants a five- to six-year highway bill but is not backing higher fuel taxes to pay for improvements and new capacity for the nation’s roads and bridges.
CBO: Highway Fund to be Bankrupt Oct. 1
The Congressional Budget Office said its projections show that the Highway Trust Fund will have insufficient funds to meet its obligations starting in fiscal year 2015, the first day of which is Oct. 1.
Wash. Ports Ask FMC to Allow Discussions of Rates, Operations
Officials at the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., have filed a request with the Federal Maritime Commission for a “discussion agreement” that would allow them to talk about rates and operations, which is usually prohibited under antitrust regulations.