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.
DOT Freight Transportation Index Rises 2.7%
The Department of Transportation’s freight transportation services index rose 2.7% in May from the same month last year to the second-highest level on record, DOT said Wednesday.
July 11, 2013Cummins Boosting Dividend 25%
Engine maker Cummins Inc. said it is boosting its quarterly dividend 25%, reflecting its “confidence in the long-term prospects for the company.”
July 10, 2013Senator Drops Objection to Vote on EPA Nominee
A key Republican senator said he is dropping a filibuster threat to block the nomination of Gina McCarthy to become administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
July 10, 2013Police Weigh Criminal Charges in Quebec Rail Crash
Canadian authorities are investigating potential criminal acts or negligence following Saturday’s crash of runaway railcars loaded with crude oil that exploded in a Quebec town, Bloomberg News reported Wednesday.
July 10, 2013Oil Tops $105 a Barrel as Supplies Decline
Oil continued its recent climb, rising to more than $105 a barrel Wednesday after a Department of Energy report showed that crude supplies fell last week, Bloomberg News reported.
July 10, 2013Wholesale Inventories Fall in May
Wholesale inventories fell 0.5% in May, the biggest drop since September 2011, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday.
July 10, 2013Intermodal Traffic Reaches All-Time Monthly Record in June
U.S. intermodal traffic set a new record for average weekly volume in June, the Association of American Railroads said Tuesday.
July 10, 2013APL Logistics Launches Warehouse Management System for Wal-Mart in Mexico
APL Logistics said it has launched a warehouse management system for Wal-Mart in Mexico to enable same-day order fulfillment and next-day delivery for online sales.
July 10, 2013Oregon Lawmakers Pass Voluntary Mileage-Based Tax Bill
Oregon legislators passed a bill that would create a voluntary program to phase in road-usage charges in lieu of the state’s gasoline tax, the (Salem, Ore.) Statesman Journal reported.
July 9, 2013PennDOT Eyes Bridge Weight Restrictions
The Pennsylvania General Assembly’s failure to pass a transportation package means the state will move forward in assessing 1,120 bridges that may have to have new or additional weight restrictions, according to Pennsylvania Transportation Secretary Barry Schoch.