Walmart Inc.’s initiatives to strengthen its in-house trucking operations have elevated it to No. 1 on this year’s updated Transport Topics Top 100 Private Carriers list.

Although freight market conditions have been favorable to shippers for the past two years, many of the largest private carriers in North America operate larger fleets now than in years past.

Even at a time when for-hire truck capacity is readily available at com­petitive rates, many shippers have continued to invest in their own private fleets.

Learn more about Transport Topics’ Top 100 Private Carriers publication.

Kroger Co. has pledged to cut grocery prices by $1 billion, doubling its initial promise, as it seeks to win regulatory approval for its $25 billion merger with Albertsons Cos.

NEW YORK — Walmart had another quarter of strong sales that topped almost all expectations with its comparatively low prices proving a powerful draw for millions.

Darling Ingredients soared the most in eight years after California signaled it may limit the use of seed oils in green diesel, which would be a boon to companies that use rival feedstocks.

Cargill Inc. took a revenue hit of almost 10% in its most recent fiscal year, a decline that comes amid signs of profit struggles at the world’s biggest crop trader.

Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos. have spent more than $800 million on fees paid to lawyers, bankers and advisers for their proposed merger.

Home Depot’s Q2 sales rose slightly as the retailer benefited from an $18 billion acquisition this spring, but customers continued to rein in spending.