Logistics

U.S. consumer confidence increased this month, according to the latest Reuters/University of Michigan monthly consumer sentiment index released Friday.

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

The Obama administration was set last week to outline a path to national fuel-economy standards for large trucks, bringing industry and government officials to the White House to announce a plan that could aim at driving habits as well as equipment changes to reduce fuel use.

Intermodal volume in the first four months of 2010 is surging ahead of 2009 levels, powered by a sharp rise in domestic container shipments and renewed growth in international freight, a trade group said.

Mexico’s president, Felipe Calderon, said last week that the United States and his nation would solve the countries’ ongoing trade dispute caused by the closure of the southern border to longhaul truck traffic.

Third-party logistics provider AutoInfo said its first-quarter earnings rose to $425,000, or 1 cent a share, from $219,000, or 1 cent, last year.

Third-party logistics provider Ceva Logistics reported an increase in first-quarter revenue compared with the same time in 2009.

Intermodal rail traffic continued to rise last week to its highest level since fall 2008, the Association of American Railroads said.

Trailer Bridge Inc. lost $308,000, or 3 cents a share, in the first quarter, compared with a loss of $768,000, or 6 cents, a year ago.