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

Oil Closes Week Below $129 a Barrel

Oil plunged more than $15 this week, finishing Friday’s trading below $129 a barrel, Bloomberg reported.

July 18, 2008
Business

Werner’s 2Q Income Declines

Truckload carrier Werner Enterprises’ second-quarter net income fell to $18.1 million, or 25 cents a share, from $22.3 million, or 30 cents, a year earlier.

July 18, 2008
Business

SIRVA Appoints Wes Lucas CEO

Moving company Sirva Inc. said it has appointed Wes Lucas its new chief executive officer, succeeding Robert Tieken, who the company said led it through its successful financial reorganization.

July 18, 2008
Business, Equipment

Cummins to Acquire N.C. Engine Company

Diesel engine maker Cummins Inc. said Friday it concluded joint ventures with two companies and that it will purchase a stake in a North Carolina engine company, which will become a Cummins unit.

July 18, 2008
Business, Logistics

Sterling to Cut Shift, Lay Off 720 Workers at Ontario Plant

Sterling Trucks plans to eliminate one of two shifts and lay off 720 workers in Ontario in November, the Canadian Press reported Thursday.

July 18, 2008
Business, Safety

Intermodal Traffic Falls for Week

Rail freight improved but intermodal traffic declined last week compared with a year ago, the Association of American Railroads said Thursday.

July 17, 2008
Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety

Landstar’s 2Q Profit, Revenue Rise

Truckload carrier Landstar System said late Wednesday its second-quarter profit rose slightly, while revenue jumped 10%.

July 17, 2008
Business

USA Truck’s 2Q Earnings Improve

Truckload carrier USA Truck’s second-quarter profit rose to $2.1 million, or 21 cents per share, from $1.6 million, or 15 cents, a year ago.

July 17, 2008
Business, Government

Philadelphia Manufacturing Index Declines

Manufacturing levels in the Philadelphia region showed contraction in July for the eighth straight month, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said Thursday.

July 17, 2008
Government, Business

Housing Starts Jump 9.1%; Single-Family Home Starts Lag

New housing starts surged in June led by more multifamily construction, but single-family home starts fell, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

July 17, 2008