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, Technology

Railroads Investing in More Upgrades, Journal Reports

U.S. railroads are making big investments in their networks, having spending $10 billion to expand tracks, build freight yards and buy locomotives since 2000, and are planning an additional $12 billion in upgrades, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.

February 13, 2008
Business, Safety, Government

Court Hears Arguments on Mexican Trucks Program

A federal appeals court heard arguments Tuesday whether the Bush administration can go ahead with the Transportation Department’s Mexican trucks pilot program, the Associated Press reported.

February 12, 2008
Business, Fuel, Government

DOE Lowers Diesel-Price Outlook

The Department of Energy lowered its outlook diesel prices, saying that prices would peak in April and May at just over $3.30 per gallon before tailing off to near to $3 later in the year.

February 12, 2008
Business, Safety

GAO Cites Risks to Public-Private Partnerships

While there are some benefits, the risks associated with public-private highway partnership agreements range from higher tolls and traffic diversion to political trade-offs and potential tax losses, according to a report issued by the Government Accountability Office.

February 12, 2008
Business, Logistics

Expeditors International of Washington’s Earnings Improve

Logistics firm Expeditors International of Washington said its fourth-quarter profit rose 12% to $70.1 million, or 32 cents a share, from $62.6 million, or 26 cents, in the previous fourth quarter.

February 12, 2008
Business, Safety, Government, Logistics

Pacer’s Fourth-Quarter Profit Mixed

Transportation and third-party logistics firm Pacer International’s fourth-quarter profit slipped to $20.6 million, from $21.5 million a year ago, but per-share earnings rose to 59 cents a share, from 57 cents a year earlier.

February 12, 2008
Business, Fuel, Government

Forward Air’s Profit Edges Up in 4Q

Forward Air Corp. said its fourth-quarter profit rose to $12.4 million, or 43 cents a share, from $12.2 million, or 40 cents, a year earlier.

February 12, 2008
Government, Business, Safety

GM Posts 4Q, Full-Year Loss

General Motors Corp. said Tuesday it took a fourth-quarter loss of $722 million and that it enhanced a buyout plan for its 74,000 U.S. United Auto Workers employees, Bloomberg reported.

February 12, 2008
Business

Express-1’s Earnings Dip

Express-1 Expedited Solutions said Tuesday it earned $457,000, or 2 cents a share, in the fourth quarter, down from $1.6 million, or 6 cents, in the previous fourth quarter.

February 12, 2008
Business, Safety

Accident Shuts Down I-84 in Conn.

A Tuesday morning truck accident that caused hydrogen gas to leak prompted a shutdown of Interstate 84 in both directions near Waterbury, Conn., the Associated Press reported.

February 12, 2008