Government

The top 91 Canada-based for-hire motor carriers that earn at least C$25 million annually generated operating revenue of C$2.4 billion and expenses of C$2.3 billion in the fourth quarter, with both figures rising less than 1% from the previous quarter, Statistics Canada reported.

Following six straight weekly increases, the average national price of retail diesel fuel dipped 0.4 cent to $2.681 a gallon, the Department of Energy reported Monday.

Truck maker Volvo AB said its sales for the first two months of the year fell 13%, as U.S. deliveries plunged following new emissions standards that boosted truck prices, Bloomberg reported Tuesday.

New housing starts jumped 9% in February, following a slump in January, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday.

US 1 Industries’ fourth-quarter income was $1.4 million or 11 cents a share, compared with $600,000 or 5 cents a year earlier.

Transportation firm EGL Inc. said Monday it has signed a definitive merger agreement under which EGL Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James Crane and two investment firms will buy the firm for $38 per share, or about $1.7 billion.

Less-than-truckload carrier Old Dominion Freight Line said it would raise its base rates by about 5.1%, effective next Monday.

For decades, diesel engines — prized for their durability and pulling power — have dominated broad segments of the heavy truck and equipment markets. As gasoline prices rose in the 1970s, diesels made quick inroads in light-duty markets as well.