Business

LAS VEGAS — Daimler Trucks North America moved to publicly strengthen its commitment to its small Western Star brand, hosting gatherings of dealers and industry media here last week.

U.S. retail diesel and gasoline price averages reversed a monthlong string of increases last week, as diesel dipped 0.7 cent to $2.801 a gallon and gas declined 2.8 cents to $2.666, the Department of Energy reported.

FedEx Trade Networks said that it has opened seven new freight forwarding offices in Asia and Europe.

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

Wal-Mart Stores said that its profit rose 3.2% to $3.24 billion, or 84 cents a share in the quarter ended Oct. 31, compared with $3.14 billion, or 80 cents, a year ago.

Canadian transporter Mullen Group offered to buy Ontario-based logistics firm Livingston International Income Fund in an all-stock deal that tops a previous buyout offer from a consortium of other investors.

UPS Inc. will provide logistics services for used vehicle auctioneer Manheim, the company announced.

A Tennessee state highway that is close to the site of a recent big rock slide near the North Carolina border will be closed for at least three weeks due to another rock slide, state officials said.

A bankruptcy judge has cleared the sale of package carrier Velocity Express Corp. to private equity firm ComVest, the companies said.