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, Government

Durable Goods Orders Fall 1.7%

Durable goods orders fell 1.7% in February, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

March 26, 2008
Business, Safety, Government

Truckers’ Seat Belt Usage Hits Record 65%, DOT Says

The number of professional truck drivers using safety belts jumped dramatically last year to a record 65%, the Department of Transportation said Tuesday.

March 25, 2008
Business, Technology

UPS Names Freight Forwarding Management

UPS Inc. Tuesday named a new senior management team to oversee its freight forwarding, global brokerage and non-asset network management service businesses.

March 25, 2008
Fuel, Business, Logistics, Government

Diesel Gains 1.5¢ to $3.989; Gas Dips Following Records

The average national price of retail diesel fuel rose 1.5 cents to $3.989 for a fifth consecutive record, while gasoline’s price declined, the Department of Energy said Monday.

March 25, 2008
Business, Government

Hino’s Outlook Rises on Asian, Latin America Sales

Hino Motors Ltd., Japan’s largest maker of heavy-duty trucks, said its operating profit probably beat its own forecast by 4.5% because of higher international sales in Asia and Latin America, Bloomberg reported Tuesday.

March 25, 2008
Business, Logistics

YRC Sets Mexico Freight Forwarding Service

Less-than-truckload carrier YRC Worldwide said it will offer freight forwarding services to and from Mexico through its YRC Logistics subsidiary.

March 25, 2008
Government, Business

Consumer Confidence Falls to Five-Year Low

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

March 25, 2008
Business

Justice Department Approves XM, Sirius Merger

The Justice Department approved a proposed $4.6 billion merger by Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio Holdings, although the deal still must be cleared by the Federal Communications Commission, Reuters reported.

March 25, 2008
Business, Safety, Government

New FHWA Head Says He’s Open to Changes in ’09 Highway Bill’s Size-and-Weight Limits

WASHINGTON — The new head of the Federal Highway Administration said he was open to considering changes to truck size-and-weight limits and other truck productivity issues as part of the Transportation Department’s proposals for the 2009 reauthorization of federal transportation legislation.

March 24, 2008
Government, Business, Safety

N.Y. Gov. Backs Congestion-Fee Plan

Newly seated New York Gov. David Paterson (D) backs a New York City plan to charge motorists fees in parts of Manhattan during peak business hours, the Associated Press reported.

March 24, 2008