Business

Truckload carrier U.S. Xpress Enterprises said its second-quarter profit fell to $2.7 million or 18 cents a share, from $5.7 million or 37 cents a year ago.

UPS said Wednesday it launched UPS Express Critical, a same-day service that allows customers to more effectively manage package and heavy freight shipments.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.’s second-quarter profit rose to $56 million or 26 cents a share, from $2 million or 1 cent last year.

New home sales plunged 6.6% in June, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

Wireless-services provider Qualcomm Inc. said its fiscal third-quarter profit jumped 24% from a year ago, to $798 million or 47 cents a share, from $643 million or 37 cents last year.

Durable goods orders fell 0.5% in June, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

Heavy-duty components maker ArvinMeritor said Wednesday it would close a truck parts assembly plant in Ontario, Canada, in November.

WASHINGTON — John Hill, head of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, said the agency expects to launch a pilot program of its overhauled compliance review and safety rating process during 2008.