Business

About Business News...

Transport Topics business coverage focuses on the financial, economic, and commercial aspects of the modern freight business. Looking at both the microeconomic and macroeconomic forces shaping bottom lines, the news in this category includes labor news, jobs reports, tonnage and sales indicators, operations analysis, money and banking, mergers, acquisitions, e-commerce, bankruptcy, insurance issues, and more.

Business, Government, Logistics

Consumer Sentiment Rises to Second-Highest Since 2007

Consumer confidence increased in April to the second-highest level in more than eight years as Americans grew more upbeat about their financial prospects.

May 1, 2015

Daily Briefings from Transport Topics

Transport Topics has partnered with Spoken Layer to make one-minute daily briefings available on all your smart devices. Simply say “Alexa, play Transport Topics” or “Okay Google, talk to Transport Topics” to get the day’s biggest trucking headlines.

Business, Government

Oil Falls After Biggest Monthly Gain in Six Years

Oil declined in New York on April 30 after its biggest monthly advance since May 2009.

Grant Smith | Bloomberg News
May 1, 2015
Business, Fuel

UPS Freight Adds 64 LNG-Fueled Tractors

UPS Freight has added 64 liquefied natural gas-fueled tractors to its fleet. The tractors join UPS’ worldwide fleet of more than 2,500 natural gas-powered vehicles, the company said April 30.

Michael G. Malloy | Web Editor
April 30, 2015
Government, Business, Safety, Logistics, Technology, Equipment, Autonomous

NTSB Recommends Video Recorders on Heavy Trucks and Buses

The National Transportation Safety Board on April 29 issued a recommendation that heavy truck and bus fleet operators deploy in-cab video system recorder technology to monitor their drivers.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
April 30, 2015
Business

Old Dominion Net Income Rises; YRC Worldwide Cuts Loss

Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. improved first-quarter net income 36% to $62.5 million, or 73 cents per share, and YRC Worldwide Inc. cut its loss to $21.6 million, or 70 cents.

April 30, 2015
Government, Business

Rep. Paul Ryan Says Short-Term Highway Patch to Be Unveiled in Three Weeks

WASHINGTON — Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), chairman of the tax-writing committee in the House, said April 30 that in about three weeks he will unveil a short-term measure that would keep highway programs funded for several months, or probably through the end of the year.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
April 30, 2015
Business

Jobless Claims Drop to Lowest Level in 15 Years

Applications for U.S. jobless benefits declined last week to the lowest level in 15 years, showing employers view a first-quarter slowdown in the economy probably is temporary.

April 30, 2015
Business

Consumer Spending Ends Sluggish Quarter on Positive Note

Consumer spending climbed in March, capping a lackluster first-quarter performance that was enough to keep the U.S. economy from shrinking.

April 30, 2015
Business

Four Fleets Improve First-Quarter Earnings

Four fleets reported improved first-quarter earnings, topped by a 69% increase at Con-way Inc. and 47% better results at Saia Inc.

April 29, 2015
Government, Business

Rep. Hanna Criticizes HOS Study Researchers

WASHINGTON — Rep. Richard Hanna (R-N.Y.) said he does not think a university reviewing a recently suspended hours-of-service rule for truckers will reach a fair conclusion when it unveils its report later this year.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
April 29, 2015