Logistics firm Expeditors International of Washington said Monday its second-quarter earnings will likely be 24 cents to 26 cents per share, down from 32 cents a year ago.

Weak Class 8 truck sales around the world led to plunging revenue and either losses or vastly diminished first-quarter profits for three of the four major heavy-duty truck manufacturers and both independent engine makers operating in North America.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc.’s first-quarter earnings fell 16% to $30.8 million, providing new evidence of the recession’s effect on carrier profits.

Retailer Wal-Mart Stores said Tuesday its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings fell 7.4%, while its full-year 2008 earnings rose 5.1%.

Eight publicly traded truckload fleets weathered the fourth quarter recession by lowering costs, including fuel, and posted earnings that either topped or came close to the year-earlier period.

Oil giant Exxon Mobil Corp. Friday reported a 2008 profit of $45.2 billion, breaking its own record for a U.S. company, although its fourth-quarter earnings fell 33% from a year ago, the Associated Press reported.

Canada’s two major freight railroads reported lower fourth-quarter earnings on lower freight demand.

Wal-Mart Stores slashed its earnings forecasts after the worst holiday-shopping season in 40 years squeezed retail profit margins, Bloomberg reported Thursday.

Old Dominion Freight Line said Tuesday it is lowering its profit forecast due to difficult economic conditions.

Diesel engine maker Cummins Inc. lowered its 2008 sales and profit forecast, due to “significant declines” in demand.