Trailer orders in March soared 165% over the comparable month of 2009, ACT Research Co. reported last week, as the strengthening economy and the brighter picture for the freight industry drove fleets to boost orders over dismal year-ago levels for the sixth month in a row.

Universal Truckload Services’ first-quarter profit rose to $2.1 million, or 13 cents per share, from $100,000, or 1 cent, a year ago.

U.S. consumer confidence fell this month, but was higher than previously estimated, according to the latest Reuters/University of Michigan monthly consumer sentiment index released Friday. 

Intermodal rail traffic rose 15.1% last week from the same week a year ago, the Association of American Railroads said.

Norfolk Southern Corp. reported that its first-quarter profit rose 45% from a year ago.

Canadian freight railroad Canadian Pacific’s first-quarter net income jumped 74% to C$99.8 million, or 59 cents per share, from C$57.3 million, or 36 cents, a year earlier.

Kansas City Southern said it earned $32.6 million, or 34 cents a share, in its first quarter, compared with a loss of $8.1 million, or 9 cents, the previous year.

Consumer confidence grew this month to its highest level since September 2008, the New York-based Conference Board reported.

Union Pacific Corp. said Thursday its first-quarter profit jumped 43% from a year ago as volumes increased.

Forward Air Corp. reported a first-quarter profit of $3.4 million, or 12 cents per share, compared with a loss of $3.1 million, or 11 cents, a year ago.