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.
Truckload Carriers Report Mixed Results, Agree 2Q Freight Demand Was Weaker
Several of the country’s largest publicly traded truckload carriers reported a mixture of modest profit declines and some gains for the second quarter, with most citing a soft freight market.
July 29, 2013Three Truck Makers Report Lower Earnings But Predict Higher North American Sales
Heavy-duty truck makers reported lower second-quarter profits and revenue, compared with a year ago, as the U.S. economy gradually improves.
July 29, 2013Bill Proposes Massive Boost in Truck Insurance Minimum
The minimum injury and property damage insurance level for trucking companies would rise nearly 500% to $4.4 million from the current $750,000 under a measure proposed by a congressman who said the current level is insufficient to protect crash victims.
July 29, 2013Editorial: An Insurance Kerfuffle
The move by Rep. Matt Cartwright to force all motor carriers to increase their minimum injury and property damage insurance coverage by almost 500% is a misguided solution in search of a problem.
July 29, 2013Truck Tonnage Rises 5.9%
Truck tonnage jumped 5.9% last month from a year ago as heavy freight for housing, automotive and other customers continued to push American Trucking Associations’ cargo index higher.
July 29, 2013Trailer Orders Jump in June But Lag Last Year by 7.1%
Fleets ordered 15,386 new trailers in June from U.S. manufacturers, an 8.6% increase from a year ago and the second monthly gain in the past three, ACT Research reported.
July 29, 2013Propane Fuel Use Rising, Experts Say, But Still Not Offered for Class 8 Trucks
What transportation fuel is America’s third most popular after gasoline and diesel? It’s not natural gas.
July 29, 2013UPS Profits Dip 4% to $1.07 Bln. on Slumping International Freight
UPS Inc.’s second-quarter net income fell 4% to $1.07 billion from a year earlier, weighed down, company officials said, by slumping international freight forwarding and some customer hesitation to make package shipping commitments during Teamsters union contract talks.
July 29, 2013Diesel Rises 3.6¢ to $3.903 in Third Consecutive Gain
Retail diesel prices continued to climb last week, with the national average rising 3.6 cents to $3.903 a gallon, the third straight weekly increase, the Department of Energy reported.
July 29, 2013P.A.M.’s Second-Quarter Profit Rises
P.A.M. Transportation Services said its second-quarter net income improved from a year ago.
July 26, 2013