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.
UPS’ 3Q Profits More Than Double as Domestic Parcel Business Jumps
UPS Inc.’s third-quarter earnings more than doubled to exceed $1 billion, owing to a year-earlier pension charge as well as help from improved domestic package business and higher less-than-truckload revenue.
November 4, 2013Diesel Fuel Slips 1.6¢ to $3.87 on Growing Crude Supplies
The abundant supply of domestic oil helped push U.S. diesel prices down for the sixth time in seven weeks, as trucking’s main fuel dipped 1.6 cents a gallon to $3.87, the Department of Energy said.
November 4, 2013Diamond, Roberts Truck Dealerships to Merge
Diamond Cos., a holding company for International brand truck and bus dealerships, will merge with Roberts Truck Center, effective Jan. 1, the companies said.
November 1, 2013TransForce to Buy Trucking Operations of Clarke
Canadian transportation firm TransForce Inc. said it has agreed to buy the two freight transportation subsidiaries of Clarke Inc., a Canadian holding company.
November 1, 2013Vitran’s Fiscal Loss Grows in 3Q
Canadian less-than-truckload carrier Vitran Corp. said it lost more money in the third quarter than the same period last year, but earned a profit if its divested United States operations are excluded.
November 1, 2013American Axle Reports Third-Quarter Profit
American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings said it had a third-quarter profit of $31.6 million, or 41 cents per share, from a loss of $8.1 million, or 11 cents, a year ago.
November 1, 2013U.S. Manufacturing Expands in October
U.S. manufacturing activity’s rate of expansion rose in October, the Institute for Supply Management reported Nov. 1.
November 1, 2013Intermodal Rail Volume Grows 4.7% in Third Quarter
Total intermodal rail traffic grew 4.7% to 4 million containers in the third quarter, according to the Intermodal Association of North America.
November 1, 2013Trimble’s Profit Increases in 3Q
Trimble Navigation Ltd. reported higher third-quarter profit than a year ago and said earnings nearly doubled at its segment that includes trucking technology providers PeopleNet Communications Corp., TMW Systems Inc. and ALK Technologies Inc.
October 31, 2013Virginia Court Rules Planned Tunnel Tolls Can Proceed
The Virginia Supreme Court ruled Oct. 31 that the state can proceed with plans to begin tolling in February on two existing tunnels between Norfolk and Portsmouth in order to pay for construction of a third.