Government

WASHINGTON — The Government Accountability Office said last week that hundreds of thousands of truck drivers with potentially serious medical conditions are being allowed to drive heavy vehicles, citing loopholes and weaknesses in the federal government’s program to certify drivers.

Most public less-than-truckload companies’ second-quarter profits fell as fleets were pounded by record diesel prices and flagging economic demand, but some executives said they thought the overall pricing environment had improved, or at least stabilized.

The average price of retail diesel in the United States dipped 4.6 cents last week to $4.718 a gallon, the largest weekly drop in more than six months, the Department of Energy reported.

Saia Inc. on Friday reported that it earned $5.4 million, or 40 cents a share, in the second quarter, down from $10.4 million, or 72 cents, a year ago.

U.S. consumer confidence this month rose from a reading that was close to a 28-year low, according to the Reuters/University of Michigan monthly consumer sentiment index released Friday.

New home sales fell 0.6% in June, the Commerce Department said Friday.

Durable goods orders rose in June, the Commerce Department said Friday.

WASHINGTON — The House Thursday approved a bill that would require states to update their highway bridge inspection standards and perform annual inspections of structurally deficient bridges.

Truck dealership Rush Enterprises’ first-quarter net income fell to $6.1 million, or 16 cents a share, down from $13 million, or 34 cents, a year ago.

Third-party logistics company and freight broker Hub Group’s second-quarter net income rose to $15 million, or 40 cents a share, from $13.8 million, or 35 cents, a year ago.