Business

About Business News...

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.

Business, Government

Retail Sales Fall 0.4%, Commerce Says

Retail sales fell 0.4% in April, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

May 13, 2009
Business, Government

Import Prices Rise 1.6% on Higher Oil

The price of goods imported to the United States rose for a second straight month in April as oil prices increased, the Labor Department said Wednesday.

May 13, 2009
Business, Safety, Government, Logistics

ATA Recognizes National Transportation Week

American Trucking Associations said Wednesday it celebrating National Transportation Week by bringing trucking industry outreach programs to public events around the country.

May 13, 2009
Fuel, Business

Diesel to Average $2.26 This Year, DOE Says

The Energy Department said diesel fuel will average $2.26 a gallon this year, down 4 cents from a previous forecast and well below the $3.80 average of last year.

May 13, 2009
Business

Tank Truck Operators Urged to Prepare for Future Freight Demand

SAN DIEGO — The nation’s tank truck operators meeting here were encouraged to take advantage of the current economic downturn to prepare for the future, when increasing freight demand will put great stresses on the fleets that survive the harsh times.

May 12, 2009
Business

Intermodal Traffic Sees Record Quarterly Drops

Intermodal international container volume fell 22.7% in the first quarter, the eighth straight quarterly decline, the Intermodal Association of North America reported.

May 12, 2009
Business, Fuel, Safety, Equipment, Government

Executive Cites Factors Affecting Trucking, Class 8 Sales

SAN DIEGO — A “perfect storm” of a weak economy, high fuel prices and governmental missteps have led to a 70% drop in new-truck sales in North America, according to Jim Hebe, senior vice president of North American sales for Navistar.

May 12, 2009
Fuel, Business, Logistics, Government

Diesel Rises 3.2¢ to $2.216; Gas Leaps 16.2¢ to $2.24

The national average price of diesel fuel rose for the first time in a month, climbing 3.1 cents to $2.216 a gallon, while gasoline pushed past diesel for the first time in almost two years, the Energy Department said.

May 12, 2009
Business

TravelCenters Reports First-Quarter Loss

Truck stop chain TravelCenters of America said it lost $18 million, or $1.08 per share, in the first quarter, compared with a loss of $48.5 million, or $3.34, a year ago.

May 12, 2009
Business, Logistics

Obama’s NHTSA Pick Withdraws

Chuck Hurley, who President Obama had intended to nominate to head the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, has withdrawn from the nomination process, the Associated Press reported.

May 12, 2009