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.
FMCSA Provides Brokers Extra Time to File Increased Bond Paperwork
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said it will provide additional time for freight brokers to supply proof they’ve increased their minimum surety bonds to $75,000 from $10,000.
Factory Orders Decline 2.4% in July
Factory orders declined 2.4% in July, the Commerce Department reported Sept. 5.
September 5, 2013FMCSA’s Crash-Fault Study Complete, Under Agency Review
A federal study of how the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration could assign fault for truck crashes has been completed, but is being reviewed in-house by the agency, officials said.
2Q Productivity Revised Up to 2.3%
U.S. workers’ productivity rose at a 2.3% annual rate in the second quarter, higher than initially reported, the Labor Department reported.
September 5, 2013Jobless Claims Drop by 9,000
Initial jobless claims declined by 6,000 last week, the Labor Department reported Sept. 5.
September 5, 2013Trucking’s Operational Costs Fell in 2012, ATRI Says
The average variable cost to run a truck in 2012 fell about 5% from the previous year to $1.63 per mile, as carriers had to cut costs to cope with soft freight volumes in a weak economy, the American Transportation Research Institute said in a report issued Sept. 4.
Economy Shows Modest Growth, Fed ‘Beige Book’ Says
The U.S. economy improved at a moderate pace in the six weeks ended in late August, the Federal Reserve said.
September 4, 2013UPS to Buy Two Costa Rican Freight Companies
UPS Inc. has agreed to buy two Costa Rican freight companies, a parcel carrier and freight broker, that it said will improve the ability of customers both inside and outside the country to ship.
September 4, 2013Navistar Reports 3Q Loss
Navistar International Corp. reported a loss of $247 million in its fiscal third quarter, or $3.06 per share, and said it has started taking orders for the first selective catalytic reduction engine option for medium-duty trucks and school buses.
September 4, 2013Western Express Says Pilot Flying J Fraud Cost it More Than $73 Mln.
A Nashville, Tenn.-based trucking company, the largest carrier yet to file a fraud lawsuit against Pilot Flying J, is seeking more than $73 million in punitive damages for being shortchanged $2.5 million in fuel rebates since 2005.