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.
Trucking Begins to See Gains from Start of Stimulus Funds
Trucking is just beginning to glimpse benefits from the federal economic stimulus program, which could produce about $1.1 billion in carrier revenue over the next two years for moving materials used in infrastructure projects, industry and federal officials said.
May 18, 2009Some Flatbed Fleets See Gains, But Demand Remains Anemic
Some flatbed carriers said they are seeing scattered volume growth, although weak housing, construction and steel markets continue to dampen demand in the trucking sector that has been hit hardest by the recession.
May 18, 2009Truck Sales Remain Abysmal as April Total Drops 44.4%
Heavy-duty U.S. truck sales continued at a dismal pace in April, as monthly volume fell 44.4% from a year earlier, when sales were already declining. Year to date, sales are now 32.5% behind the comparable period of 2008, according to the latest monthly survey from WardsAuto.com.
May 18, 2009Volvo Backs Use of Longer, Heavier Trucks
BOSTON — Volvo Trucks joined the argument over allowing longer, heavier trucks on U.S. highways, saying Congress should allow them on the interstate system to relieve congestion, increase productivity, conserve fuel and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
May 18, 2009YRC in Talks With Lenders
YRC Worldwide Inc. said last week it was talking with lenders about a possible third renegotiation of its credit agreement, and that it had deferred almost $40 million in pension-fund payments.
May 18, 2009Industrial Production Declines 0.5%
Industrial production fell 0.5% in April, the smallest decrease in six months, the Federal Reserve said Friday.
May 15, 2009Consumer Confidence Highest Since September
U.S. consumer confidence has improved to the highest level since September, according to the Reuters/University of Michigan monthly consumer sentiment index released Friday.
May 15, 2009YRC to Apply for Bailout Funds, Journal Says
Less-than-truckload carrier YRC Worldwide plans to ask for $1 billion in federal bailout money to help relieve its pension obligations, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.
May 15, 2009April Consumer Price Index Unchanged
The consumer price index was unchanged in April, though prices excluding food and fuel rose, the Labor Department said Friday.
May 15, 2009New York Manufacturing Index Improves
Manufacturing activity in the New York region contracted the least since August this month, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said Friday.
May 15, 2009