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.
U.S. Trade Deficit Widens in November
The U.S. trade deficit expanded by 10.4% in November as exports declined to a four-month low, the Commerce Department said Friday.
January 13, 2012Ryder Signs First Lease for Natural Gas Trucks
Ryder System said it has signed its first leasing agreement under its “Flex-to-Green” program, which offers companies the option to incorporate alternative fuel vehicles into their fleets.
January 13, 2012Hostess Brands Again Files for Bankruptcy
Hostess Brands, the maker of Twinkies snack cakes and Wonder bread, filed for bankruptcy Wednesday, less than three years after completing an earlier restructuring.
Retail Sales Edge Up 0.1% in December
Retail sales improved 0.1% in December, the smallest gain in seven months, the Commerce Department said Thursday.
January 12, 2012Business Inventories Rise in November
Business inventories rose 0.3% in November while sales increased, the Commerce Department said Thursday.
January 12, 2012Daimler Adding Shift at N.C. Freightliner Plant; Will Hire 1,100 Workers This Year
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Daimler Trucks North America officials said they will be adding a second shift to the company’s heavy-duty truck plant in Cleveland, N.C., adding 1,100 jobs over the course of this year.
January 12, 2012Jobless Claims Rise for Week
Initial jobless claims increased by 24,000 last week to 399,000, the Labor Department said Thursday.
January 12, 2012Ceridian-UCLA Trucking Index Slips 0.7% Year-Over-Year
The Ceridian-UCLA Pulse of Commerce Index, which measures diesel fuel card purchases at truck stops, slipped in December from a year ago but showed improvement from November.
January 12, 2012On-Dock Intermodal Debuts at Virginia Terminal
CSX Corp.’s rail unit on Jan. 3 began offering on-dock rail intermodal service at Portsmouth, Va., marking the latest step in its multistate National Gateway project to expand double-stack service in the eastern United States.
January 12, 2012Dana Estimates Stronger 2011 Earnings, Sales
Dana Holding Corp. estimated its adjusted 2011 earnings will be higher than the previous year, and that its 2012 sales will be at least 5% over 2011.
January 11, 2012