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.

Government, Business

Leading Economic Indicators Decline

An index of leading economic indicators fell 0.5% in August, the New York-based Conference Board said Thursday.

September 18, 2008
Business

Jobless Claims Rise 10,000 for Week

Initial jobless claims rose by 10,000 last week to 455,000, the Labor Department said Thursday.

September 18, 2008
Government, Business, Fuel

Crude Settles Below $100 a Barrel

Oil prices remained under $100 a barrel Thursday after earlier rising over $102, Bloomberg reported.

September 18, 2008
Government, Business, Safety

Seat Belt Use Reaches Record 83%

Seat-belt use in the United states has risen to a record 83% in daylight hours this year, up from 82% last year, the Department of Transportation said Wednesday.

September 17, 2008
Business, Fuel, Safety, Government

U.S. Lawmakers Raise Concerns on UPS-DHL Air Deal

Ohio officials told federal lawmakers they have been rebuffed in their efforts to persuade DHL to consider alternatives to its proposed agreement to have UPS Inc. carry its North American air packages, the Associated Press reported.

September 17, 2008
Business

Editorial: Saving the Highway Trust Fund

We are pleased and relieved that the Senate finally agreed to support the restitution of $8 billion to the faltering Highway Trust Fund from the U.S. Treasury to undo an old wrong.

September 17, 2008
Government, Business

August Housing Starts Plunge 6.2%

New home construction plunged 6.2% in August, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

September 17, 2008
Government, Business, Fuel

House Passes Energy Bill Allowing More Offshore Drilling

The House late Tuesday approved a bill that legislation that would open more offshore areas for oil and oil and natural gas drilling, pending states’ approval, the Associated Press reported.

September 17, 2008
Business, Safety

FMCSA to Consider Preventability in Crash Rate Permits for Hazmat Carriers

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has published an interpretation indicating that it will consider “preventability” of a crash when a motor carrier contests the denial of a hazardous materials safety permit, based on the crash-rate disqualification.

September 17, 2008
Business, Safety, Logistics

Letters to the Editor: Thank you, Trucking; Outsourcing; Lane Restrictions

In honor of National Trucking Week, Sept. 7-14, let’s take a minute to think about the trucking industry and the thousands of men and women who work within it to make our lives functional, comfortable, healthy and safe.

September 17, 2008