Business

U.S. rail intermodal traffic increased 3.4% in the week ended Aug. 23 compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads reported.

Consumer spending in the U.S. dropped in July for the first time in six months, a sign households are lagging behind as wages fail to accelerate.

Business activity in the Chicago area climbed in August as orders accelerated, a sign that manufacturing will continue to add momentum to the economy.

Roadrunner Transportation Systems Inc. has completed the acquisition of logistics company Active Aero Group from Aero’s parent company, Platinum Equity, for about $115 million.

U.S. trade with Canada and Mexico in June increased to $103 billion, up 10.2% from 2013, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported Aug. 28.

In the latest decision on worker status, a federal appeals court in California ruled that 2,300 workers at FedEx Corp.’s Ground unit were employees and not contractors to the package delivery company.

The latest DAT report of posted van, refrigerated and flatbed loads declined 1.4%, and available capacity dipped 0.1%, during the week ended Aug. 23 from the previous week.

Contracts to purchase previously owned homes rose more than forecast in July, a sign of renewed momentum in residential real estate.

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits was little changed last week, near the lowest level in seven years as employers held on to staff in an improving economy.

West Coast port labor talks have taken a step toward resolution with a tentative agreement on health care benefits that the parties called “an important part” of an overall contract.