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.
Import Prices Fall for First Time in Six Months
The price of goods imported to the United States fell 0.7% in July, the first decline in six months, the Labor Department said Thursday.
August 13, 2009DOT Freight Transport Index Plunges 14.2%
The Department of Transportation’s freight transportation services index fell 14.2% in June from a year earlier, the largest June-to-June decline in the 20 years in which it has been calculated.
August 12, 2009Fed Again Holds Interest Rate at Record Low
The Federal Reserve voted Wednesday to keep a key U.S. interest rate at a record low “target range” of zero to 0.25%.
August 12, 2009Intermodal Traffic Takes Big Quarterly Drop
Intermodal trailer traffic fell 26.9% in the second quarter of 2009, the Intermodal Association of North America reported.
August 12, 2009Contrans’ Second-Quarter Income Falls
Canadian firm Contrans Income Fund said that its second-quarter profit was C$6.2 million, or 20 cents per unit, down from C$10.2 million, or 35 cents, a year ago.
August 12, 2009Ritchie Bros.’ Second-Quarter Income Dips
Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers earned $38.8 million, or 37 cents per share, in the second quarter, compared with $45.9 million, or 43 cents, a year ago.
August 12, 2009DHL Fined $9.4 Million for Embargo Violations
DHL Express will pay the U.S. government $9.4 million in fines to settle a dispute that it made shipments to Iran, Sudan and Syria in violation of U.S. embargoes, the Associated Press reported.
August 12, 2009Celadon’s Profit Falls for 4Q, Year
Truckload carrier Celadon Group said its fiscal fourth-quarter income fell to $167,000, or 1 cent per share, from $2.2 million, or 10 cents, a year ago.
August 12, 2009ArvinMeritor to Invest up to $10 Million in Brazil
Vehicle parts maker ArvinMeritor Inc. said it will invest up to $10 million in its commercial vehicle business in Brazil.
August 11, 2009Opinion: The Customer Service, Dispatch Dilemma
As the recession deepens, there is growing awareness in the transportation industry of the role dispatchers play in keeping third-party logistics firms and freight brokerages competitive, particularly in the areas where dispatch and customer service collide.
August 11, 2009