Business
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.
CSX Reports 4Q Profit Gain
Eastern freight rail line CSX Corp. said Tuesday its fourth-quarter earnings rose more than 5% from a year earlier, to $365 million or 86 cents a share, from $347 million or 75 cents a year earlier.
January 22, 2008Eaton’s 4Q Earnings Rise; Truck Segment Declines
Heavy-duty vehicle parts manufacturer Eaton Corp. said Tuesday its fourth-quarter net earnings rose 8%, and the company boosted its dividend too.
January 22, 2008Panel Urges Infrastructure Overhaul
WASHINGTON — In a controversial report calling for huge new spending on the national transportation system, a congressional commission last week made several recommendations that would affect trucking, including new flexibility in the federal driver hours-of-service rule in congestion-prone areas.
January 21, 2008DOT’s Peters Disavows Commission’s Proposals
WASHINGTON — A congressional report calling for a huge new federal investment in transportation infrastructure financed by hefty tax increases brought sharp opposition from Republicans, including Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, who led the commission.
January 21, 2008Dec. Truck Sales Fall 54.5% to Close Worst Year Since ’03
U.S. truck sales finished their worst year since 2003 last month, plummeting 54.5% from the level of December 2006. For the entire year, U.S. heavy-duty sales during 2007 were 46.8% below the record set last year, according to data supplied by WardsAuto.com.
January 21, 2008Diesel, Gas Dip As Petroleum Prices Retreat
U.S. retail fuel prices dipped last week, as crude oil costs fell. The Department of Energy said the average price for diesel around the nation was 5 cents a gallon lower at $3.326, while gas slipped 4.1 cents to $3.068.
January 21, 2008Bush Calls for $150 Bln. Economic Stimulus Plan
President Bush proposed a growth package of as much as $150 billion Friday to counter escalating risks to an economic expansion now in its seventh year, Bloomberg reported.
January 18, 2008January Michigan Sentiment Index Improves
U.S. consumer confidence rose this month, according to the University of Michigan’s monthly consumer sentiment index released Friday.
January 18, 2008Leading Economic Indicators Decline 0.2%
An index of leading economic indicators fell 0.2% last month, the New York-based Conference Board said Friday.
January 18, 2008Safeway’s Fleet to Use Biodiesel
Grocery chain Safeway Inc. said its fleet of more than 1,000 trucks nationwide will run with a mix of biodiesel fuel, the Washington Post reported Friday.
January 18, 2008