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, Logistics

Wabash Reports First-Quarter Loss

Trailer maker Wabash National Corp. reported a first-quarter loss was $6.4 million, or 21 cents a share, compared with a profit of $1 million, or 3 cents, a year ago.

April 29, 2008
Government, Business

Consumer Confidence Hits 5-Year Low

Consumer confidence fell to a five-year low this month, the New York-based Conference Board said Tuesday.

April 29, 2008
Business

Oil Company Profits Soar; OPEC President Warns of $200 Oil

Oil companies BP and Royal Dutch Shell, Europe’s two biggest oil producers, posted combined first-quarter profits of almost $17 billion, while a key OPEC official said oil could reach $200 a barrel, news services reported Tuesday.

April 29, 2008
Business, Government

China’s Biggest Truck Maker’s Profit Surges

Beiqi Foton Motor Co., China’s biggest maker of commercial vehicles, reported a jump in its first-quarter profit, Bloomberg reported Tuesday.

April 29, 2008
Business, Equipment

FleetPride Completes Purchase of Keller Truck Parts

FleetPride Inc., an independent aftermarket distributor of heavy-duty truck and trailer parts, said Monday it has finalized its acquisition of Keller Truck Parts.

April 28, 2008
Business, Safety, Technology, Equipment

J.B. Hunt to Use New SkyBitz Trailer-Tracking System

Truckload carrier J.B. Hunt Transport Services will put trailer-tracking units made by SkyBitz on its North American trailer fleet, the two said Monday.

April 28, 2008
Business

Scania First-Quarter Profit Rises 21%

Swedish truck maker Scania AB’s first-quarter net income rose 21% to about $420 million, or 52 cents a share, from about $350 million, or 44 cents, last year, Bloomberg reported Monday.

April 28, 2008
Business, Government

DOT Offers L.A. $213 Million in Toll Plan

The federal government has offered Los Angeles County $213 million to convert carpool lanes to special, congestion-pricing toll lanes on three freeways, the Los Angeles Times reported.

April 28, 2008
Fuel, Business, Government

Truckers Protest in Washington Over High Fuel Prices

Hundreds of truck drivers descended on Washington Monday to protest high diesel prices, WRC-4 television reported on its Web site.

April 28, 2008
Business, Safety, Government

Montana Considering I-35 Truck Restrictions

The Montana Department of Transportation is exploring whether the state can impose limits on large-truck traffic on state Highway 35, the Associated Press reported.

April 28, 2008