FedEx Freight | Some Trucking Companies also had a BIG bounce

[imported_River17]

Stocks Finish Higher After Dubai News

STC Issue #300

Leaders from Google, FedEx, others to attend White House summit

Leaders from top U.S. companies including Google (NasdaqGS:GOOG - News) , AT&T (NYSE:ATT - News), Disney (NYSE:DIS - News) and FedEx (NYSE:FDX - News) will attend a jobs summit on December 3 at the White House, a White House spokeswoman said on Sunday.
The forum is meant to help devise ways to combat double-digit unemployment.
The White House said there would be approximately 130 attendees at the jobs forum ranging from small business owners to academics. Below is a list of confirmed attendees: Frederick Smith, CEO, FedEx Corp
Leaders from Google, others to attend White House summit - Yahoo! Finance

Southwest, Fed Ex planes dinged in airport mishap

Southwest, Fed Ex planes damaged when wings collide on the ground in Salt Lake City

Planes belonging to Southwest Airlines Co. and FedEx Corp. suffered minor damage when they bumped wings while on the ground in Salt Lake City.
A Southwest spokesman said the airline's jet was beginning to pull back from the gate when it was clipped by a FedEx cargo plane Sunday morning.
Paul Flaningan said Monday no passengers were hurt, and they were put on another plane for the trip to Albuquerque. The plane was fixed and put back in duty, he said.
"The pilots were about to fire up the engines ... when they felt a jolt," Flaningan said.
Southwest, Fed Ex planes dinged in airport mishap - Yahoo! Finance

Q & A With Stuart Elliott

There’s something that has bothered me since the inception of the U.P.S. “whiteboard” campaign and I’m wondering if anyone else has noticed or been bothered by it. Am I the only one who is distracted by the hair style of the guy who does the ads?
Every time a new ad comes out, it seems his hair is worse -- long and stringy. I fear it seems silly, but I get really distracted by his hair and stop listening to his message, which I actually think is very compelling. I just can’t get past it.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/30/business/media/30adnewsletter2.html?partner=yahoofinance

Con-way Freight Named Carrier of the Year by PolyOne Corporation

Company Honored for Outstanding Exception-Free, On-Time and Fast Service

Con-way Freight, a less-than-truckload (LTL) freight carrier and subsidiary of Con-way Inc., today announced that it has been recognized by PolyOne Corporation as 2008 Less-than-Truckload (LTL) Carrier of the Year for exemplary service. PolyOne is a premier provider of specialized polymer materials, service and solutions based in Cleveland, Ohio.
"Con-way Freight consistently provides an industry-leading level of service that plays a vital role in our overall supply chain and enables us to deliver the level of service PolyOne's customers expect," said Steve Feliccia, director of corporate sourcing and logistics, PolyOne. "We've worked with them for many years, and the ease of doing business with them -- combined with their tremendous service orientation and quick response to critical issues -- made them the clear choice for Carrier of the Year recognition."
Con-way Freight Named Carrier of the Year by PolyOne Corporation - Yahoo! Finance

Landstar Says Truckload Growing in 4Q

Load count is up in early fourth quarter, carrier revises forecast

Freight volume is increasing faster than anticipated at truckload giant Landstar System, which told analysts today it expects positive year-over-year load count growth in the fourth quarter.
In a mid-quarter conference call with analysts, Landstar executives said load count growth was turned positive in November, after a 2 percent decline in October. They now expect a "slightly positive" load count for the quarter, compared with a 15 percent decline in shipments through the first three quarters.
That reflects not only a real increase in shipments, particularly in automotive, government-related and substitute line-haul freight, but easier year-over-year comparisons with the worst quarter of 2008.
Landstar Says Truckload Growing in 4Q | Journal of Commerce

Global Air Cargo Decline Bottoms Out

Year-over-year gap narrows as capacity shrinks, cargo volume rises in October

The decline in international air cargo traffic slowed significantly in October with volume just 0.5 percent below a year ago, the International Air Transport Association said.
The small drop, following a 5.4 percent year-on-year decline in September, pushed traffic 14 percent above its December 2008 low point but still some 15 percent below the peak in early 2008.
Airlines responded to the “precipitous” fall in cargo demand by cutting October capacity by 7.4 percent from a year ago, which left the load factor, or portion of cargo space sold, at the pre-recession level of 54.1 percent.
Global Air Cargo Decline Bottoms Out | Journal of Commerce

Don't Let Technology Hurt You in Court

High on the list of carrier concerns about electronic onboard recorders is how to guard the data these devices collect. The information can work both ways: It can protect a carrier, but it also can be used as weapon by lawyers looking to collect damages for their clients.
"Lawyers who sue carriers know what to ask for," warned Joseph Pappalardo, an attorney with the Cleveland firm Gallagher Sharp, in a recent web-based discussion on the issue. "They are becoming more savvy. They will try to use what you retain against you. Frankly, the trucking industry is a major target."
Don't Let Technology Hurt You in Court

Dow...10,344.84 +34.92 +0.34%

Nasdaq...2,144.60 +6.16 +0.29%

S&P 500...1,095.63 +4.14 +0.38%


FDX...84.56...+1.91...+2.31%
ABFS...24.62...+0.50...+2.07%
KNX...17.01...+0.16...+0.95%
SAIA...14.42...+0.13...+0.91%
YRCW...1.13...+0.01...+0.89%
CNW...30.29...+0.26...+0.87%
HTLD...14.75...+0.03...+0.20%
UPS...57.48...+0.05...+0.09%
JBHT...31.86...-0.02...-0.06%
LSTR...37.32...-0.10...-0.27%
ODFL...26.48...-0.17...-0.64%
VTNC...8.91...-0.21...-2.30%

FDX--
Leaders from Google, others to attend White House summit - Yahoo! Finance
How to Think Like Your Customers-Minyanville
Back In Black For Airline Industry In 2010: Stocks Are Significantly Undervalued Relative To Future Multiples According To Leading Analyst - Yahoo! Finance
Air traffic demand rose in October: IATA - MarketWatch
In Play &reg - Yahoo! Finance - The basics of investing.
Ebay's A Winning Bid
http://podcast.mktw.net/audio/20091130/mst1130marcouiller/mst1130marcouiller.mp3
Global air shipping creeps toward renewed growth - MarketWatch
http://www.thestreet.com/p/_yahoo/r...tml?cm_ven=YAHOO&cm_cat=PREMIUM&cm_ite=003190
Southwest, Fed Ex planes dinged in airport mishap - Yahoo! Finance
Obama's Second Take On Job Creation - Forbes.com
'Fast Money' Recap: Sorting Out Dubai | Fast Money Recap | Financial Articles & Investing News | TheStreet.com

UPS--
Atlanta Metro News | ajc.com
Media Alert - Millions invested in GTA by global supply chain leader - Yahoo! Finance
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/30/business/media/30adnewsletter2.html?partner=yahoofinance
Six Degrees Of Salahi - Forbes.com

CNW--
Con-way Freight Named Carrier of the Year by PolyOne Corporation - Yahoo! Finance

Stocks Finish Higher After Dubai News

Stocks pulled off a modest gain Monday, led by banks, after Dubai World said it would try to restructure about $26 billion of its debt.
For November, the Dow gained 6.5 percent — its fifth straight monthly gain. The S&P advanced 5.7 percent and the Nasdaq climbed 4.9 percent.
Ten out of 10 key S&P sectors finished the month higher, led by materials, health-care and industrials .
Stocks Finish Higher After Dubai News - Market Overview * US * News * Story - CNBC.com

Expect Volatility after Dubai 'Wake Up Call': Market Pro

Markets whipsawed on Monday as investors digested the Dubai news. Chief Executives Rich Berg of Performance Trust Capital Partners and Roy Williams of Prestige Wealth Management shared their market outlooks.
“I’m concerned about the investor psyche more than the actual effect on our banking system,” Williams told CNBC.
CNBC Stock Blog — Dubai a 'Wake Up Call', Expect Volatility Now — CNBC.com Market News - CNBC Stock Blog - CNBC.com

Forget Dubai 'Noise'—Stay Fully Invested: Strategist

“This Dubai situation, we think, is noise. …The hit potentially to the U.S. banks are about $10 billion for Dubai, and by comparison, AIG was $180 billion. So we think this little hiccup we’ve seen in the markets may represent a nice buying opportunity.”
CNBC Stock Blog — Dubai Fear is 'Noise'—Stay Fully Invested: Strategist — CNBC.com Market News - CNBC Stock Blog - CNBC.com

Gartman: My Commodities Outlook After Dubai

“If Dubai is going to do anything—and it’s not the big brother, this is the littler brother taking care of the big brother who has gone out and has made a fool of himself—you’ve got Abu Dhabi with 80 billion barrels of crude oil. The only way it’s going to be able to resolve these circumstances is to pump crude oil at a more aggressive pace.”
Going forward, Gartman told investors to expect some downward pressure on commodities.
CNBC Stock Blog — My Commodities Outlook after Dubai: Dennis Gartman — CNBC.com Market News - CNBC Stock Blog - CNBC.com

Dubai World to Restructure About $26 Billion of Debt

Dubai World said it would try to restructure about $26 billion of debt, far less than the nearly $60 billion in total liabilities that the Dubai government's investment arm had as of August.
Dubai World triggered a world-wide stock market selloff last week after announcing that it may delay payment on billions of dollars of debt. The news sparked worries that Dubai World could default on its entire $60 billion in debt and trigger a new global credit crisis.
Dubai World to Restructure About $26 Billion of Debt - Markets * US * News * Story - CNBC.com

Scientists Gone Wild: Climate Debate Turns Nasty

But for those inclined to view climate change as a grand hoax perpetrated by a tight-lipped conspiracy of environmentalists and clean-technology investors, the e-mail messages were red meat.
“I certainly don’t condone the manner in which these e-mails were released,” Senator James Inhofe, a Republican from Oklahoma and a longtime skeptic of global-warming science, said in a statement last week. “However, now that they are in the public domain, lawmakers have an obligation to determine the extent to which the so-called ‘consensus’ of global warming, formed with billions of taxpayer dollars, was contrived in the biased minds of the world’s leading climate scientists.”
Intrigue and Plot Twists in Global Climate Talks - Politics and Government * US * News * Story - CNBC.com

Saab Lovers Sound Off

One week after I blogged about the lack of outcry from Saab owners over the impending demise of the beloved brand of cars, supporters of the Swedish company are being loud and vocal in telling me to get a clue. In general, they think I haven't done my homework and haven't given enough credit to the Web sites devoted to saving Saab like Saabs United.
Saab Lovers Sound Off - Behind the Wheel with Phil Lebeau - CNBC.com

The Risk Trade Has Not Gone Away—Yet

Dubai's late-day announcement that it would be seeking to restructure $26 billion in debt lifted U.S. and European bank stocks (the theory is that there is a number on the restructuring).
Still, for all the worries about Dubai, the market was again slave to the dollar...stocks moved down as the dollar rallied mid-morning, then moved up as the dollar weakened in the last hour of trading.
For all this worry, trading was at best average, while volatility was very much contained. The main strategy of hedge funds and active traders has remained the same for the whole month of November: do nothing.
The Risk Trade Has Not Gone Away—Yet - Trader Talk with Bob Pisani - CNBC.com

Now you are up to speed and informed.
http://www.truckingboards.com/truck...074-questions-comments-stc-newsletter-20.html

 

[imported_River17]

Dow Ends at New 2009 High as Dollar Slides

U.S. markets absorb technical challenge

The Technical Indicator

Coming into this week, the big technical question centered around Dubai. Namely, was last week's volatility a lasting threat to the global-market recovery or, instead, a fleeting shakeout?
And based strictly on the technicals, the answer is shaping up as the latter.

While the transports are neutrally positioned, sector bellwether FedEx Corp. (FDX 85.63, -0.25, -0.29%) is setting up well.
Technically speaking, it's recently broken from a bullish double bottom defined by the September and October troughs.
Since then, it's held the breakout point as support, and its tight band near 52-week highs positions the shares to extend higher.
U.S. markets absorb Dubai technical challenge The Technical Indicator - MarketWatch

UPS Opens Expanded Toronto Hub

Largest Canadian investment opens as recession begins to ebb

UPS Canada on Dec. 1 formally opened a $70 million expansion of its Toronto distribution center, the largest single Canadian investment for the global package delivery company.
UPS broke ground on the expansion in 2007 amid then growing demand in Toronto and Canada as a whole. Shrugging off concerns about the effects of the recent recession on such a large investment, Scott Davis, chairman and CEO of UPS said, “UPS sees the same kind of possibilities in Canada that we saw more than 30 years ago when it began operations here. What we see is amazing potential – a strong and resilient Canadian economy, the unstoppable force of global commerce and a nation of companies ready to emerge stronger from the recession into a new era of global growth.”
UPS Opens Expanded Toronto Hub | Journal of Commerce

Descartes Launches Pilot for Canada's ACI e-Manifest Highway Mode With Con-way Freight

Descartes Systems Group, a federated global logistics network, announced today that Con-way Freight, a leading North American less-than-truckload carrier, is joining the pilot phase launch of the Advance Commercial Information (ACI) Highway electronic filings with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
"We are pleased to be participating with Descartes and the working group members to improve and validate this platform as the standard for electronic trade security filings enabling more efficient cross-border trade between the U.S. and Canada," said Melissa Mathew, manager of customs compliance for Con-way Freight.
Descartes Launches Pilot for Canada's ACI e-Manifest Highway Mode With Con-way Freight - Yahoo! Finance

Trucking Software Pioneers to Merge

TMW acquires competitor ICC, expanding its software portfolio and reach

Two of the biggest names in trucking software were combined today as TMW Systems acquired Innovative Computing for an undisclosed price.
TMW and Innovative are trucking software pioneers. Innovative has a history stretching back to the early days of commercial fleet management systems in the 1960s. TMW, founded in 1983, provides enterprise software to for-hire and private fleets.
The acquisition benefits customers of both TMW and Innovative, the companies say, as both firms’ software is already integrated at hundreds of motor carriers.
“We will continue to sell, support and develop the ICC product line to protect our customer's technology and platform investments,” said David Wangler, president and CEO of Beachwood, Ohio-based TMW.
Trucking Software Pioneers to Merge | Journal of Commerce

NAFTA Trade Fell 12 Months Running

Completed cycle, month to month improvements signal coming turnaround

Surface trade between the United States and its partners in the North American Free Trade Agreement completed a cycle in September of 12 consecutive months of steep declines. U.S. trade with Canada and Mexico was 20.2 percent lower in September 2009 than in September 2008, dropping to $57.3 billion, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the U.S. Department of Transportation reported Tuesday.
But the full year of declines combined with recent month to month improvements signal a turnaround is coming. The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 5.6 percent in September 2009 from August 2009. Since the record 35.4 percent plunge in May, each month has seen improvement, and September’s year-over-year comparison is the best so far in 2009.
About 88 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves on land.
NAFTA Trade Fell 12 Months Running | Journal of Commerce

Dow...10,471.58 +126.74 +1.23%

Nasdaq...2,175.81 +31.21 +1.46%

S&P 500...1,108.86 +13.23 +1.21%


YRCW...1.18...+0.05...+4.42%
ABFS...25.54...+0.92...+3.74%
VTNC...9.10...+0.22...+2.48%
KNX...17.41...+0.40...+2.35%
CNW...30.91...+0.61...+2.01%
JBHT...32.41...+0.55...+1.73%
FDX...85.90...+1.45...+1.72%
HTLD...14.90...+0.15...+1.02%
LSTR...37.65...+0.33...+0.88%
UPS...57.89...+0.42...+0.73%
ODFL...26.57...+0.09...+0.34%
SAIA...14.38...-0.04...-0.28%

FDX--
Athlete, Keep Your Day Job: Alistair Presnell-Minyanville
Yahoo!
S&P Stocks Trading at New 52-Week Highs - CNBC By The Numbers - CNBC.com
Cathay Pacific sees higher shipping rates - MarketWatch
Halftime Report: Market Flirting With Resistance - Fast Money Halftime Report - CNBC.com
U.S. markets absorb Dubai technical challenge The Technical Indicator - MarketWatch

UPS--
Athlete, Keep Your Day Job: Trent Kline-Minyanville
UPS Canada Opens New "Door to the World" Through Expanded Toronto Hub
UPS Opens Expanded Toronto Hub | Journal of Commerce
GSI Commerce clients have strong holiday cyber sales - Business First of Louisville:

CNW--
Descartes Launches Pilot for Canada's ACI e-Manifest Highway Mode With Con-way Freight - Yahoo! Finance

Dow Ends at New 2009 High as Dollar Slides

Stocks kicked off December with a rally Tuesday as Dubai fears subsided and the dollar retreated, pushing gold to a new record above $1,200 an ounce.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 126.74, or 1.2 percent, to close at 10,471.58, its highest level since since October 2008. The S&P 500 added 1.2 percent and the Nasdaq advanced 1.5 percent.
Dow Ends at New 2009 High as Dollar Slides - Market Overview * US * News * Story - CNBC.com

Obama to Send More Troops; Seeks Afghanistan Exit

President Barack Obama said on Tuesday he is sending 30,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan by next summer to speed the battle against the Taliban and plans to start bringing some home in 18 months.
The goal, Obama said in a prime-time televised address, will be to fight the Taliban, secure key population centers and train enough Afghan security forces so they can take over.
Obama to Send More Troops; Seeks Afghanistan Exit - Politics and Government * US * News * Story - CNBC.com

Stick with Equities—Avoid Emerging Markets: Laszlo Birinyi

The markets are looking “very good” and they still have a long way to go, said Laszlo Birinyi, president of Birinyi Associates. He shared his market outlook.
“There’s still an awful lot of liquidity. That’s why you see these rallies after a piece of bad news: because too much money is sitting on the sidelines,” Birinyi told CNBC.
Birinyi said he is still bullish on the equity markets and said the Dow will reach 11,000 by the end of the year.
CNBC Stock Blog — Stick with Equities, Avoid Emerging Markets: Laszlo Birinyi — CNBC.com Market News - CNBC Stock Blog - CNBC.com

GM Removes CEO Henderson; Whitacre Will Be Interim Chief

General Motors abruptly fired CEO Fritz Henderson Tuesday, saying it wanted to chart a new course as it pushes ahead with its restructuring.
Chairman Ed Whitacre will become interim chief executive as the largest US auto maker begins the search for Henderson's replacement.
The ouster of Henderson, a career GM executive who became CEO just eight months ago, came after a meeting of GM's 13-member board in Detroit.
"The board decided—and Fritz agreed—that given where we are, it was time to make some changes,'' GM spokesman Chris Preuss said at a hastily arranged news conference.
GM CEO Fritz Henderson to Step Down - Automotive * US * News * Story - CNBC.com

Investors Shorted Dubai World Debt Back in September

Many institutional investors saw the Dubai World debt problems coming and sold the bonds back in September, despite the debt being so close to maturity, Julian Pittam, managing director at Data Explorers, told CNBC Tuesday.
"From September onwards, about 75 percent of the long-only holders of Nakheel sold their position in September, trending down to about October, November, which is significant - 75 percent is a massive amount," Pittam said.
Investors Shorted Dubai World Debt Back in September - Financials * Europe * News * Story - CNBC.com

Predictions 2010: Autos

As we head into 2010 it's time for the usual predictions, and after nailing seven of my nine picks last year (see below) I've been asked to throw out three picks for 2010. So here goes.
Predictions 2010: Autos - Behind the Wheel with Phil Lebeau - CNBC.com

November Auto Sales Muddle Along

November will not go down as a month to remember in the auto business.
And it shows how the hoped for rebound in auto sales will be much like waiting for a rebound in jobs: it will require patience.
Overall, November sales are trending to be roughly at the same pace as October.
As for individual automakers, the results last month are roughly in line with expectations - not great, not horrible, just so-so given the weak economy.
Ford: (up 8.6%)
Toyota: (up 11.5%)
GM: (up 6.3%)
Chrysler: (down 19%)
So what can we take away from the November results?
November Auto Sales Muddle Along - Behind the Wheel with Phil Lebeau - CNBC.com

An Open Letter to Tiger Woods

Fess up, Tiger. If you don’t, the tabloids are gonna kill ya.
By now everyone knows that something happened to you and your car outside your Florida mansion.
Some tabloids report that for some reason your wife Elin teed you up inside your home with one of your Nike golf clubs, and that you sought escape by hot-footing it outside at two-thirty in the morning to your Cadillac Escalade in the driveway but for some reason, you hit a fireplug and wrapped the car around a tree.
How you got your face scratched and wound up on the side of the road is still a mystery.
An Open Letter to Tiger Woods - Money and Politics Blog - CNBC.com

Now you are up to speed and informed.
http://www.truckingboards.com/truck...074-questions-comments-stc-newsletter-20.html

 

[imported_River17]

Dow Ends Lower Amid Bank-Profit Worries

As Jobs Summit Approaches, Obama Faces Limited Options

Barack Obama rode an economic crisis into the White House in November 2008. Now he'll have to ride out the last of that economic storm if he's to keep his own job in three years.
But with unemployment surging and the President's poll ratings sinking, there's growing debate about what-if anything-the President can do about the situation.
"There's nothing new here," says crisis management expert and former senate aide Larry L. Smith. "We have become a very impatient people. When things don't turn around overnight, we get impatient."
The president will try to tackle the issue on Thursday when he holds a jobs summit at the White House with leaders of top US companies including Google (NASDAQ: goog), AT&T (NYSE: t), Disney (NYSE: dis) and FedEx (NYSE: fdx).
As Jobs Summit Approaches, Obama Faces Limited Options - Yahoo! Finance

Analyst Says YRC Equity Swap Imperiled

Baird's Langenfeld calls company's recovery scenario 'overly aggressive'

A Wall Street transportation analyst said market conditions are throwing serious doubt on whether YRC Worldwide’s proposed debt-for-equity exchange can win a vote by bondholders Dec. 8, forcing the trucking giant to adjust its terms.
“Current bond prices imply an overly aggressive profit recovery scenario for YRCW, which suggests that 95 percent of bondholders will not support the debt-for-equity swap,” said Jon A. Langenfeld of investment management firm R.W. Baird & Co.
Even if YRC Worldwide doesn't get 95 percent of its bondholders to sign on by its Dec. 8 deadline, it won’t be the end of the road for the exchange or the company as it struggles to avoid filing for bankruptcy protection.
“YRCW survival options still exist, including lowering the 95 percent tender requirement or seeking debtor-in-possession financing,” Langenfeld said.
Analyst Says YRC Equity Swap Imperiled | Journal of Commerce

YRC 'Confident' in Debt-Equity Swap

Note holders face Dec. 8 deadline to tender bonds

YRC Worldwide is "very confident" it will complete a debt-to-equity swap that would wipe more than $500 million in debt from its books in return for 95 percent of the trucking operator's common stock, the company said today.
The nation's largest trucking company issued a one-sentence statement after a leading Wall Street analyst expressed doubt that the debt-to-equity exchange with bondholders would reach its required 95 percent approval threshold. (See "Analyst Says YRC Debt-Equity Swap Imperiled".)
"We are very confident we will complete the exchange offer," the company said. The deal faces a Dec. 8 deadline.
YRC Worldwide calls the exchange the "final step" in its "comprehensive" recovery plan. If the holders of USF senior notes and other bonds accept the exchange, they will eliminate $536.8 million in debt to unsecured lenders — about 33 percent of YRC Worldwide's total debt.
YRC 'Confident' in Debt-Equity Swap | Journal of Commerce

Economy, Transport Activity Show Modest Increases, Fed Says

The U.S. economy improved modestly from October through mid-November as consumer spending rose in most areas and transportation activity showed some signs of improvement, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday.
Transportation sector improvement was cited in four of the Fed’s 12 districts — the Chicago, St. Louis, Cleveland, and Kansas City regions — the Fed said in its latest “beige book report,” released eight times a year.
“We’re seeing some green sprigs out there; we just don't know yet if it's grass or weeds,” one Richmond region transportation official said in the report.
Economy, Transport Activity Show Modest Increases, Fed Says | Transport Topics Online | Trucking, Freight Transportation and Logistics News

Teamsters Clash With GM, Chrysler

Union says automakers shifting new vehicles to 'unsafe' non-union competitors

The Teamsters union is stepping up a fight with two of the nation’s largest automakers, claiming Chrysler and General Motors to shift shipments of new cars to non-union carriers is costing union jobs, damaging vehicles and threatening public safety.
For the automakers, it's a matter of cutting costs and efficiency. Chrysler has said it could save $31 million over three years by shifting some — not all — of its shipments to different carriers, and speed delivery of vehicles to dealerships.
Teamsters Clash With GM, Chrysler | Journal of Commerce

CN, Teamsters Reach Agreement

Pact comes as Parliament poised to force engineers back to work

Canadian National Railway and the Teamsters union representing 1,700 striking Canadian locomotive engineers reached a contract agreement today just as Parliament was preparing to force them back to work.
Labor Minister Rona Ambrose announced to the House of Commons that the two sides had reached agreement on a contract to replace one that expired Dec. 31, 2008. There were no immediate details as to terms, reached in back-and-forth dialogue in Montreal carried out by two federal mediators.
CN offered on Tuesday to accept binding arbitration on wage and benefit issues and to drop its earlier unilateral change to monthly work hours and small increase in pay for engineers. CN had raised engineers’ monthly mileage cap from 3,800 miles to 4,300 miles and given them a 1.5 percent wage increase after 14 months of failure to reach a new contract. Citing that move, the TCRC struck. The TCRC had made two proposals to end the strike, on Saturday and on Sunday. Both were rejected by CN.
CN, Teamsters Reach Agreement | Journal of Commerce

Trailer Orders Gain 80 Percent From September

Net orders for commercial trailers jumped 80 percent from September to October, a 124 percent boost from October 2008, according to the latest State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers by ACT Research.
"An issue that adds complexity to interpreting current order activity is that October is normally the beginning of a seasonally strong period for orders," said Kenny Vieth, partner and senior analyst with ACT Research. "While the sequential increase was well beyond a normal seasonal uptick, the limited orders in backlog will still keep a lid on production in the near term."
Trailer Orders Gain 80 Percent From September

Dow...10,452.68 -18.90 -0.18%

Nasdaq...2,185.03 +9.22 +0.42%

S&P 500...1,109.24 +0.38 +0.03%


YRCW...1.30...+0.12...+10.17%
ABFS...26.58...+1.04...+4.07%
CNW...32.06...+1.18...+3.82%
ODFL...27.41...+0.84...+3.16%
JBHT...33.30...+0.89...+2.75%
VTNC...9.30...+0.19...+2.09%
KNX...17.70...+0.29...+1.67%
FDX...87.13...+1.25...+1.46%
LSTR...37.97...+0.32...+0.85%
HTLD...14.99...+0.09...+0.60%
UPS...57.88...+0.00...+0.00%
SAIA...14.17...-0.21...-1.46%

FDX--
As Jobs Summit Approaches, Obama Faces Limited Options - Yahoo! Finance
Dream Stocks for Tech Investors

UPS--
1-Star Stocks Poised to Plunge: Overstock? (OSTK)

YRCW--
Analyst: YRC debt-for-equity swap probably won’t hit benchmarks - Kansas City Business Journal:
Analyst Says YRC Equity Swap Imperiled | Journal of Commerce
YRC 'Confident' in Debt-Equity Swap | Journal of Commerce

Dow Ends Lower Amid Bank-Profit Worries

Stocks ended mixed Wednesday, with the Dow finishing slightly lower, as oil prices fell and investors worried about bank profits. Amazon buoyed the Nasdaq.
Stocks had opened higher after a pair of private employment reports showed an improvement in the jobs picture but not as much as expected. But the market pulled back after the S&P broke through the key 1,111 level, suggesting it still remains a key resistance point. An upbeat Fed "beige book" report failed to inspire a rebound.
Dow Ends Lower Amid Worries About Bank Profits - Market Overview * US * News * Story - CNBC.com

Why I Fear New Recession: Market Strategist

Can investors trust the stock rally and what should they be watching for in the economy? Peter Costa, president of Empire Executions and CNBC market analyst, and Jonathan Corpina, senior managing partner at Meridian Equity Partners, shared their insights.
“Markets are back to pre-Dubai levels—we’re above 1,100 [on the S&P 500] and we have to keep looking at the S&P as we get to this 50 percent retracement level of 1,121,” Corpina told CNBC.
“There are a lot of things that are going on that we have to be worried about—and unemployment is the number one thing,” said Costa.
“When you have 10 to 11 percent of the population not working, the residual effect is another 25 percent that’s on the cusp. So you have to be very careful of how much stock you put into this rally.”
CNBC Stock Blog — Why I Fear New Recession: Strategist — CNBC.com Market News - CNBC Stock Blog - CNBC.com

'Fast Money' Traders: Will Market Melt...Up?

Stocks [.SPX 1109.24 0.38 (+0.03%) ] searched for direction on Wednesday as investors attempted to determine just how bumpy the road to recovery may be.
1113 is the line in the sand, explains Scott Redler of T3. If we can stay above that level for 60 minutes, it could open a move to 1150. But until we get above 1113, stay light on your feet.
I don’t buy that, counters Jared Levy of Peak 6. In the SPX, the 10 and 20 day moving averages are converging and volume is dissipating. It feel like this is a repeat of 2008 – where we saw a sharp reversal. It may not come until late month – but I think a reversal is coming.
Halftime Report: Market Melt-Up? - Fast Money Halftime Report - CNBC.com

Fed Officials Say Difficult to Time Support Withdrawal

Federal Reserve officials sounded a relatively upbeat note on the U.S. economy on Wednesday, but warned timing withdrawal of the bank's extraordinary support for the economy will prove difficult.
Richmond Federal Reserve Bank President Jeffrey Lacker told a conference in Charlotte, North Carolina that U.S. central bankers should not let pockets of economic weakness distract them from fighting inflation as growth recovers.
Fed Officials Say Difficult to Time Support Withdrawal - Economy * US * News * Story - CNBC.com

Housing Market Meltdown Not Over: Zandi

The meltdown of the U.S. housing market is not over yet, and home prices will soon start trekking downward again as a flood of foreclosures looms, a well-known economist said Wednesday.
Mark Zandi, chief economist at at Moody's Economy.com in West Chester, Pennsylvania, said in an interview with Reuters home prices will resume their decline by early next year as foreclosure sales pick up again.
"The housing crash is not over," he said.
Housing Market Meltdown Not Over: Zandi - Real Estate * US * News * Story - CNBC.com

Fed's Beige Book: Economy Has Improved Modestly

The weak U.S. economy is improving modestly with little upward pressure on wages and finished goods despite commodity price gains, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday in a report that gives it little reason to move from its current ultra-low interest rates.
Eight of the Fed's 12 districts reported some pickup in economic activity since an Oct. 21 report. The remaining four — Philadelphia, Cleveland, Richmond and Atlanta — reported conditions little changed or mixed, the Fed said in its Beige Book anecdotal report on economic conditions.
Fed's Beige Book: Economic Conditions Have Improved Modestly - Economy * US * News * Story - CNBC.com

Lutz, GM Managers Stunned by CEO Henderson's Departure

If you were shocked by the sudden resignation of GM CEO Fritz Henderson, imagine being in the General Motors management team.
Out here at the L.A. Auto Show GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz told me the Henderson news caught him and other GM execs by surprise.
Lutz said, "This took us by surprise. It's something we would not have done, something we don't necessarily like, but our loyalty is to General Motors and to shareholders and the public that buys our cars."
Lutz And GM Managers Stunned by Henderson’s Departure - Behind the Wheel with Phil Lebeau - CNBC.com

Insider Responds To Tiger's New Statement

There are hundreds of crisis managers and sports marketers giving their take on Tiger Woods. Instead of talking to whoever comes into my e-mail box, I got in touch with the biggest insider I could find who could freely talk about Tiger. That man is Vada Manager.
In the long run, this will have no major impact on his endorsements.
Insider Responds To Tiger's New Statement - Sports Biz with Darren Rovell - CNBC.com

Now you are up to speed and informed.
http://www.truckingboards.com/truck...074-questions-comments-stc-newsletter-20.html

 

[imported_River17]

Stocks Close Lower, Led by Financials

Faster, Smarter, Greener - FedEx Offers Shipping Tips for Special Holiday Packages

FedEx Corp. is offering customers several solutions to pack and ship greener and more efficiently this holiday season.
“FedEx team members are prepared to provide excellent service to our customers this holiday as well as expert shipping advice,” said T. Michael Glenn, executive vice president of Market Development at FedEx. “Customers can rest easy and rely on the convenience of FedEx for all of their holiday shipping and packaging needs.”
In 2009, the need for proper packaging will become more evident as consumers plan to send more homemade presents than in years past. According to the National Retail Federation, nearly a fifth of consumers surveyed (16.7%) plan to make more of their holiday gifts this year.
Faster, Smarter, Greener - FedEx Offers Shipping Tips for Special Holiday Packages - Yahoo! Finance

FedEx to raise Ground, Home Delivery rates

FedEx to raise Ground, Home Delivery rates by an average of 4.9 percent in January

FedEx Corp. said Thursday it will raise shipping rates for its Ground and Home Delivery units by an average of 4.9 percent in 2010 -- 1 percentage point less than this year's rate hike.
FedEx announced in September it will increase shipping rates for Express packages shipped within or from the U.S. by an average of 5.9 percent in 2010, also 1 percentage point lower than FedEx's rate increase this year. That rate is partially offset by a lower fuel surcharge.
FedEx to raise Ground, Home Delivery rates - Yahoo! Finance

States Press Congress for Transport Jobs

AASHTO presents list of 9,500 ‘shovel-ready’ projects

If Congress produces a jobs bill after Thursday’s White House jobs summit, state officials have 9,500 reasons why transportation infrastructure should get a major piece of the action.
At a press conference Wednesday, John Horsley, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials presented Rep. James L. Oberstar, D-Minn., a list of 9,500 projects that his members say can be started within 120 days.
“It’s a good deal for the American people,” Horsley said. “We’ll create hundreds of thousands of jobs all over the country at a good price, and create long-lasting benefits for the American people.”
A jobs bill with a strong infrastructure component would benefit the building trades, which have an unemployment rate of 18 percent compared with the national average of 10.2 percent, Horsley said.
States Press Congress for Transport Jobs | Journal of Commerce

GE Sells 10 Locomotives in Brazil

Expanding market internationally as U.S. railroads idle equipment

Rail equipment builder GE Transportation signed up Brazilian railway operator America Latina Logistica as a new customer, with an order to deliver 10 new locomotives to ALL this year.
GE said it will build the engines at a plant in Grove City, Pa., while its GE Transportation South America unit will build the rest of the Model AC44i locomotives at a plant in Contagem, Brazil.
ALL operates the largest independent general cargo railway in South America, GE said, with a fleet of more than 1,000 locomotives operating over 21,000 km of track connecting Brazil and Argentina.
GE Sells 10 Locomotives in Brazil | Journal of Commerce

CN Ramps Up After Strike Ends

Railroad acts quickly to resume normal operations

Canadian National Railway was ramping its operations back up Dec. 3 following a five-day strike by locomotive engineers, but it was not clear how long it would take Canada’s largest railroad to get back to full service.
Industry sources had said during the strike that it would take at least several days to get all crews back on regular schedules and get train traffic back to a pre-strike pace.
“CN is acting quickly to resume normal operations as fast as possible with its locomotive engineers now back at work,” company spokesman Mark Hallman said Thursday.
The company and Teamsters Canada Rail Conference agreed late Dec. 2 on a plan to resume contract negotiations, and to immediately end the strike that began early Saturday by 1,700 train engineers.
CN Ramps Up After Strike Ends | Journal of Commerce

Continental Airlines Cargo Grows 16.5 Percent

Month-to-month improvement slows down, signaled gains have peaked

Cargo traffic at Continental Airlines jumped 16.5 percent in November, the strongest year-over-year growth yet in 2009 amid growing signs of stability in the freight market for U.S. passenger airlines.
Traffic measured in cargo ton miles slipped slightly for Continental on a month-to-month basis, suggesting the recovery in air freight demand has crested after a late surge in the peak shipping season.
Cargo traffic for Continental has fallen 8.8 percent in the first 11 months of the year, and Continental reported earlier that revenue from cargo business had declined nearly 33 percent in the first nine months of 2009 compared to the same period a year ago.
Continental Airlines Cargo Grows 16.5 Percent | Journal of Commerce

Cummins Cutting 400 Jobs at Truck Engine Plant

Cummins Inc. plans to temporarily cut about 400 jobs at a plant in western New York state starting in January because of expected lower demand for the heavy-duty engines produced there, Bloomberg reported.
The plant is currently building about 500 heavy-duty engines a day, which is close to maximum capacity, Land said, but that is expected to drop off significantly through the first quarter of 2010. The surge in orders for current model engines is likely a move by truck buyers to avoid more expensive engines with new emission-controlling technology that will be required after Dec. 31.
Cummins Cutting 400 Jobs at Truck Engine Plant | Transport Topics Online | Trucking, Freight Transportation and Logistics News

Hino Trucks Reaches 25-Year Milestone in the U.S.

Hino Trucks is celebrating its 25th year making commercial trucks in the U.S., having introduced its first cab over engine medium-duty truck to the U.S. market in 1984.
"On this special occasion for our Company, we also want to express our sincere appreciation to our customers, dealers and employees for their continuing support as partners in our growth," said Sumio Fukaya, president of Hino Trucks. In 2003, Toyota Motor Corporation acquired a majority ownership of Hino Motors.
Hino Trucks Reaches 25-Year Milestone in the U.S.

Dow...10,366.15 -86.53 -0.83%

Nasdaq...2,173.14 -11.89 -0.54%

S&P 500...1,099.92 -9.32 -0.84%


ODFL...27.65...+0.24...+0.88%
HTLD...15.08...+0.09...+0.60%
LSTR...37.94...-0.03...-0.08%
JBHT...33.23...-0.07...-0.21%
ABFS...26.53...-0.08...-0.30%
UPS...57.59...-0.31...-0.54%
KNX...17.58...-0.11...-0.62%
CNW...31.82...-0.25...-0.78%
SAIA...14.06...-0.11...-0.78%
VTNC...9.18...-0.12...-1.29%
FDX...85.92...-1.18...-1.35%
YRCW...1.20...-0.10...-7.69%

FDX--
S&P Stocks Trading at New 52-Week Highs - CNBC
FedEx to Deliver Higher Prices in 2010 - Stocks To Watch Today - Barrons.com
FACTBOX-Obama's jobs forum on Thursday | Reuters
Marlo Thomas’ $700 million passion: Why I give - Postcards
Faster, Smarter, Greener - FedEx Offers Shipping Tips for Special Holiday Packages - Yahoo! Finance
FedEx Ground to Increase 2010 Rates by 4.9 Percent - Yahoo! Finance
In Play &reg - Yahoo! Finance - The basics of investing.
FedEx to raise ground, home delivery rates by 4.9% - MarketWatch
UPDATE 1-FedEx raises 2010 rates by 4.9 percent | Reuters
FedEx to raise Ground, Home Delivery rates - Yahoo! Finance
FedEx to hike 2010 rates by about 5% - Memphis Business Journal:
http://podcast.mktw.net/audio/20091203/mmm120409/mmm120409.mp3
Stocks in focus for Friday - MarketWatch
Forbes.com Video Network | Markets: Marvelous Marvell

UPS--
Stocks in focus for Friday - MarketWatch

Stocks Close Lower, Led by Financials

Stocks closed sharply lower, led by a late selloff of financial shares.
The drop shortly before the close came as a massive equity offering by Bank of America [BAC 15.76 0.11 (+0.7%) ]spurred concerns that other banks could sell new shares and dilute the equity of existing shareholders.
Stocks Close Lower, Led by Financials - CNBC

GE Shareholder: Selling NBC a Smart Move

General Electric plans to exit out of show business with the sale of NBC, giving the company an $8 billion war chest to deploy on other resources. GE shareholder Peter Sorrentino, of Huntington Asset Advisors, says this leaves GE with a much cleaner balance sheet and more time to focus on its core business.
Video - CNBC.com

Halftime Report: Watch Goldman As Canary In Coal Mine

Stocks [.SPX 1099.92 -9.32 (-0.84%) ] were seeking direction on Thursday as jitters about Friday’s jobs report seemed to outweighed bullish news from the financials.
I’m keeping an eye on bank stocks [XLF 14.38 -0.28 (-1.91%) ] - I have not been a big fan of financials, says Patty Edwards of Storehouse. Specifically, I’m watching Goldman Sachs [GS 164.24 -2.42 (-1.45%) ] which is the canary in the coal mine. And it looks like it’s breaking support. I would not step in.
Halftime Report: Watch Goldman As Canary In Coal Mine - CNBC

Look Ahead: Jobs Report Has Markets on Edge

There was enough negative news around on Thursday to cause a new wave of worry about Friday's jobs report.
Traders say it was jitters about the November employment report that took stocks lower into the close even though they had mostly traded quietly throughout the day. The Dow finished the day down 86 at 10,366 and the S&P 500 was off 9 at 1099. Commodities were also lower, but the dollar held steady at lower levels.
Look Ahead: Jobs Report Has Markets on Edge - CNBC

Predictions 2010: Stocks, Jobs, Inflation & More

A funny thing happened on the way to Armageddon.
One year ago, the world braced for total economic collapse. We writhed in shock and fear in the wake of Bear Stearns-Lehman Brothers-AIG-Merrill Lynch-Wachovia-Countrywide et al.
The experts declared, "Game Over". The Wall Street model was dead and profits would take years to recover; the consumer was exhausted; credit markets were frozen: and the economy would languish for years to come. As for mergers & acquisitions and hedge funds and the private equity business: fuhgeddaboudit.
Predictions 2010: Stock Market and Economy from Dennis Kneale - CNBC

Cramer: Democrats 'Going to Lose' in November 2010

“You can’t create jobs,” Cramer said during Thursday’s Stop Trading!, “when they’re busy tearing down business.”
The Mad Money host was referring to Washington’s priorities, or lack thereof. Cramer said the focus right now should be on job creation and not climate change, health care and corporate taxes, even though he recognized them as important issues.
“Their focus is so wrong,” Cramer said, and for that reason the Democrats are “going to lose in November” 2010.
Mad Money: Cramer: Why Dems Will Lose in 2010 - CNBC

CEO Eric Schmidt Reveals 'Centerpiece' Of Google's 2010 Strategy

On Thursday President Obama summoned Corporate America to the White House in an attempt to help tackle the problem of unemployment.
And among the many corporate leaders who answered the President's call was Google CEO Eric Schmidt.
We caught up with him immediately following the summit and spoke with him about jobs -- and a wide range of other topics -- including the 'centerpiece' of Google's 2010 strategy.
CEO Eric Schmidt Reveals 'Centerpiece' Of Google's 2010 Strategy - CNBC

Best Countries for Expats

If you chose to move from your current country of residence, where would be the best place for you to go? That's the question this year's HSBC Expat Explorer Survey 2009 is trying to uncover.
The report focuses on the experiences of expats and their ease of integration into local society, compared to the country in which they used to live. The rankings are based on a set ........
The Best Countries for Expats - CNBC

No Solid Gold Performance from Bernanke

Fed head Ben Bernanke got hammered today during his reconfirmation hearing in front of the Senate Banking Committee.
Jim Bunning was Bernanke’s toughest critic, followed by Richard Shelby, Jim DeMint, and yes, Chris Dodd, the beleaguered committee chair who in all likelihood will be defeated in Connecticut next year.
But unfortunately no one directly asked Bernanke why the current gold price has surged to over $1,200, and what that might mean for future inflation and the U.S. economy.
No Solid Gold Performance from Bernanke - CNBC

Now you are up to speed and informed.
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[imported_River17]

Stocks Eke Out Gain After Jobs Rollercoaster

WEEKEND EDITION

Infrastructure Key to Economy, Trucking Executive Tells Obama

Investing in highway infrastructure is the quickest, most efficient way to create jobs and restore the economy, former American Trucking Associations Chairman Charles “Shorty” Whittington told President Obama at the White House jobs summit held Thursday.
Whittington told the president the country “must make a long-term commitment to highway investment in order to give construction companies certainty that when they hire new employees or buy new equipment, the investment will pay off.”
Infrastructure Key to Economy, Trucking Executive Tells Obama | Transport Topics Online | Trucking, Freight Transportation and Logistics News

Grammer Industries

FTR Predicts Heavy Truck Slump

Demand likely to fall after order surge in October, says analyst

The market for class 8 trucks is likely to slump at the end of the year and to slow further in 2010, said transportation analyst FTR Associates.
This year “will end with modest freight growth, and we expect 2010 growth to be in the 2.8 percent range,” said Eric Starks, president of FTR. “However, given the huge decline in freight over the last few years, the increase in freight in 2010 will not be enough to entice fleets in large numbers to buy new, more expensive technology when such equipment is first made available. Many have usable miles on older equipment to get them through the initial up-tick in freight demand without taking the risk of adding unfamiliar engine technology to their fleet.”
FTR Predicts Heavy Truck Slump | Journal of Commerce

Obama Dubious of ‘Shovel-Ready’ Jobs

President responds warmly to infrastructure bank for funding projects

President Obama says large-scale transportation projects that are supposedly “shovel-ready” may not provide the quick boost for jobs needed in the halting American economic recovery.
Speaking Thursday at the White House “jobs summit” aimed at addressing persistent unemployment, the president told transportation executives and state officials he was skeptical about the impact big infrastructure projects would have in the near term.
“The term ‘shovel-ready,’ let’s be honest, it doesn’t always live up to its billing,” Obama said.
Obama Dubious of ‘Shovel-Ready’ Jobs | Journal of Commerce

Transport Sector Cuts Jobs in November

Support jobs also shrink, but warehousing employment picks up

All major transportation industries reduced their employment levels in November, in line with a still-weak recovery in freight shipping; however, warehousing added jobs.
The Labor Department said overall nonfarm payrolls were down just 11,000 across the whole U.S. economy, and the unemployment rate declined to 10 percent from 10.2 percent in October, based on figures adjusted for typical seasonal changes.
Trucking jobs fell to 1.263 million from nearly 1.275 million. In transport industries that do not include sightseeing businesses, air employment slid to 458,100 from 461,500 and maritime fell to 56,300 from 58,000.
Transport Sector Cuts Jobs in November | Journal of Commerce

Oberstar: Obama 'Uninformed' on Infrastructure

House transportation leader says stimulus created 211,000 'shovel-ready' jobs

Rep. James L. Oberstar, D-Minn., said Friday that President Obama was “massively uninformed” when the president told conferees at the White House jobs summit on Thursday that “shovel-ready” infrastructure projects may not provide the quick boost for jobs needed to stimulate American economic recovery.
“It was absolutely stunning to me,” Oberstar told The Journal of Commerce. Oberstar is the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. On Wednesday he took part in a press conference in which highway and transit officials presented a list of more than 9,500 infrastructure repair projects that could be started in 120 days or less.
Oberstar blamed Larry Summers, director of the National Economic Council, for the president’s opposition.
“This is the Larry Summers Effect at the White House,” Oberstar said. “This person does not understand, nor believe in, nor read figures of success in the infrastructure program.”
Oberstar: Obama 'Uninformed' on Infrastructure | Journal of Commerce

Shipments of Manufactured Goods Grow

Petroleum products, computers, electronics led gains in October

Manufacturers gave shipping a push in October as shipments of manufactured goods, up four of the last five months, increased $3.1 billion or 0.8 percent to $368 billion. This followed a 1.3 percent September increase, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Friday.
Shipments of manufactured nondurable goods, up five of the last six months, were responsible for nearly all of the increase with a $3.1 billion or 1.6 percent jump to $193.9 billion in October. This followed a 1.1 percent September increase. Petroleum and coal products led the surge, increasing $2.3 billion or 6 percent to $39.8 billion.
Shipments of Manufactured Goods Grow | Journal of Commerce

Dow...10,388.90 +22.75 +0.22%

Nasdaq...2,194.35 +21.21 +0.98%

S&P 500...1,105.98 +6.06 +0.55%

Oil...75.47 -0.99 -1.29%

Gold...1,168.80 -48.60 -3.99%


VTNC...9.77...+0.59...+6.43%
KNX...18.49...+0.91...+5.18%
SAIA...14.76...+0.70...+4.98%
ODFL...28.68...+1.03...+3.73%
ABFS...27.37...+0.84...+3.17%
CNW...32.66...+0.84...+2.64%
LSTR...38.84...+0.90...+2.37%
HTLD...15.43...+0.35...+2.32%
FDX...87.91...+1.97...+2.29%
JBHT...33.80...+0.57...+1.72%
UPS...57.90...+0.33...+0.57%
YRCW...1.18...-0.02...-1.67%

FDX--
CNBC Stock Blog — Art Cashin: Rally into 2010 if S&P Breaks Resistance Level — CNBC.com Market News - CNBC
Two Ways To Play: FedEx Raising Rates-Minyanville
Stock Futures Jump on Surprising Jobs Report - CNBC
Stock Rally Reverses as Stronger Dollar Hits Market - CNBC
http://podcast.mktw.net/audio/20091204/MNB120409/MNB120409.mp3
4-Star Stocks Poised to Pop: Dentsply International (XRAY)

UPS--
UPS safe driving program wins award - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
Buy Brown

Stocks Eke Out Gain After Jobs Rollercoaster

Stocks pulled off a modest gain Friday after an early blast from a surprisingly good jobs report and then a subsequent retreat as the dollar gained strength.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 22.75, or 0.2 percent, to close at 10,388.90, after being up more than 100 points in morning trading. The S&P 500 added 0.6 percent and the Nasdaq jumped 1 percent.
All three indexes finished the week higher, with the Nasdaq the best of the three.
Stocks Eke Out Gain After Jobs Rollercoaster - CNBC

Art Cashin: Rally Can Hold if S&P Breaks Key Level

The Dow soared more than 100 points at the market open on Friday after a government report showed far fewer jobs were lost in November than expected. The U.S. dollar also rose against a basket of currencies after the report, boosting hopes that the recovery is picking up steam.
“But this is very important—the markets had a very critical juncture and if they can run them back and take the S&P up through the recent high of 1,117, then we’ll see if there’s a range of short covering," Cashin said.
"This could give the market new life and carry the rally into early January. Santa Claus may have come early with this number.”
CNBC Stock Blog — Art Cashin: Rally into 2010 if S&P Breaks Resistance Level — CNBC.com Market News - CNBC

Market Outlook: Jobs Report Is a Game-Changer

CNBC's Courtney Reagan highlights the week's top business news stories, tells viewers what stocks the pros are recommending and looks ahead to next week's headlines.
Video - CNBC.com

Week Ahead: Road Upward for Stocks Is Getting Rougher

The road higher for stocks is likely to be a slower, more difficult climb that could get bumpy along the way.
For that reason, a number of strategists have been recommending investors steer clear of lower quality stocks and focus instead on those with better balance sheets for this next leg of the trip.
In the week ahead, markets will be tested by a fresh batch of economic news and will be dominated by the debate over whether the dollar's behavior signals the beginning of a turn for the greenback. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke is in the spotlight Monday when he speaks at the Economic Club of Washington, and President Obama is expected to unveil a new plan to promote job creation Tuesday.
Stock Market Week Ahead: Road Upward for Stocks Is Getting Rougher - CNBC

GM Chairman Names New Head of North America

General Motors Chairman Ed Whitacre Jr. says he is putting engineering chief Mark Reuss in charge of GM's North American operations in a management shakeup.
Whitacre, in an address to employees Friday, also says he is recombining sales and marketing, placing them under Susan Docherty. She became head of sales when former CEO Fritz Henderson separated sales and marketing.
Reuss recently was named head of engineering, and before that ran the company's Holden operations in Australia.
GM Chairman Names New Head of North America - CNBC

GM's New Top Three Execs Set to Move Fast

Admitting all along that he is not a car guy, GM Chairman and new CEO Ed Whitacre is quickly turning to two people who know GM and auto industry to be his top advisors in restructuring the troubled automaker.
Whitacre will be leaning on GM Vice Chair Bob Lutz as a senior advisor (Lutz also goes back to overseeing GM products) and GM board member Steve Girsky as another sr. advisor to the chairman.
GM's New Top Three Execs Set to Move Fast - CNBC

A Good Jobs Report (Courtesy of Our Mostly Free-Market Private Sector)

Even with massive tax, spending, and regulatory threats facing the economy, our mostly free-market private sector is generating economic recovery. Led by a profitable and productive business sector, today’s jobs report for November registered only an 11,000 decline in nonfarm payrolls, the smallest loss in two years. The unemployment rate dropped to 10 percent from 10.2 percent, the first two-tenths decline in that measure since September 2006 (when it fell to 4.5 percent from 4.7 percent).
A Good Jobs Report (Courtesy of Our Mostly Free-Market Private Sector) - CNBC

Fess Up, Ben

The Fed chief needs to come clean on gold and other market-price indicators.
Fed head Ben Bernanke got hammered during his reconfirmation hearing in front of the Senate Banking Committee this week. Jim Bunning was Bernanke’s toughest critic, followed by Richard Shelby, Jim DeMint, and yes, Chris Dodd, the beleaguered committee chair who in all likelihood will be defeated in Connecticut next year.
In fact, Sen. DeMint has put the Bernanke confirmation floor vote on hold until the Senate votes on the Federal Reserve Sunshine Act of 2009, which would allow for a GAO audit of all Fed lending and Open Market Committee (FOMC) policies.
Fess Up, Ben - CNBC

Now you are up to speed and informed.
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[imported_River17]

Stocks Flop After Brief Bernanke Boost

FedEx Corp. Second Quarter Earnings to Exceed Guidance

Better-Than-Expected Growth in FedEx International Priority and FedEx Ground Volumes Benefit Results

FedEx Corporation today announced that it expects to report earnings of $1.10 per diluted share for the second quarter ended November 30, down 30% from $1.58 per diluted share a year ago. The company’s previous guidance for the quarter was $0.65 to $0.95 per diluted share.
“FedEx will exceed previous earnings guidance in the second quarter primarily due to better-than-expected growth in FedEx International Priority® and FedEx Ground volumes, coupled with the benefits of our continuing cost control programs,” said Alan B. Graf Jr., FedEx Corp. executive vice president and chief financial officer. “Year-over-year growth in our U.S. overnight express and FedEx International Priority services increased each month during the quarter, aided by inventory restocking and our successful sales efforts. Demand for our international services has improved significantly since the first quarter, particularly in Asia and Latin America.”
FedEx will release the details of its second quarter earnings and update its earnings outlook on December 17, 2009.
FedEx Corp. Second Quarter Earnings to Exceed Guidance - Yahoo! Finance

FedEx Sees International, Ground Demand Growing

Carrier boosts outlook sharply, says international demand edging up steadily

FedEx scaled up its earnings projections sharply on Monday, saying it is seeing a steady increase in international express shipping demand and new strength in its domestic ground parcel service.
The carrier revised its outlook for the quarter ending Nov. 30 as much as 70 percent from earlier projections. That would still be far below last year's profit but signals a potential turnaround in the express market and the prospect that shippers are more willing to pay more to push goods to market.
"Year-over-year growth in our U.S. overnight express and FedEx International Priority services increased each month during the quarter, aided by inventory restocking and our successful sales efforts. Demand for our international services has improved significantly since the first quarter, particularly in Asia and Latin America."
FedEx Sees International, Ground Demand Growing | Journal of Commerce

UPS Freight Expanding in Canada

Former Reimer chief Robison to lead sales as UPS eyes cross-border freight

UPS Freight is ramping up operations in Canada, hiring a former YRC Reimer executive to lead its sales efforts.
Allan Robison, former president of Reimer, joined UPS Freight as a vice president of sales. Robison left Reimer last year.
"Few people have a better understanding of the trucking industry as it relates to Canada and the needs of the Canadian shipper,” said Jack Holmes, president of Richmond, Va.-based UPS Freight.
Robison’s appointment is the latest step in a steady expansion of UPS Freight’s cross-border services, spokesman Ira Rosenfeld said. “We see Canada coming out of the recession, and we want to be in position to benefit from that.”
In London, Ontario, UPS Freight is expanding its service hours. Starting Dec. 7, UPS Freight will put trucks on the street an hour and a half earlier each morning for deliveries and keep them out three hours later in the day for pickups.
UPS Freight Expanding in Canada | Journal of Commerce

Con-way Truckload Doubles Regional Capacity

Expanded fleet in 10 states targets short-haul business

While other truckload carriers are still laying up capacity to adjust to lower demand during the recession, Con-way Truckload will shift capacity to double the number of trucks dedicated to short-haul regional service next year, after successfully testing regional service in 10 states.
The company’s goal is to have at least 1,000 trucks dedicated to nationwide regional service by 2011.
The decision reflects the shortening of shippers’ distribution networks, as more companies position freight closer to customers to reduce transportation costs.
Starting in January, Con-way Truckload Regional will add 300 trucks to a fleet of 300 drivers. The short-haul division hauls shipments of less than 600 miles and offers cartage for shipments traveling less than 100 miles.
Con-way Truckload Doubles Regional Capacity | Journal of Commerce

Outcome of YRC trucker bond exchange in question

Debt exchange expires on Dec. 8

Market observers were expressing skepticism on Monday that troubled U.S. trucking giant YRC Worldwide would be able to pull off a critical debt exchange offer that expires Tuesday, though company officials have expressed confidence the deal would be successful.
Shares of Overland Park, Kansas-based YRC closed down 4 cents at $1.14 on the NASDAQ on Monday as investors weighed the likelihood of a successful exchange, which for YRC requires 95 percent of bondholders to approve the deal.
"I'd be shocked if they get 95 percent," said Dahlman Rose analyst Jason Seidl. "The question is can they get enough so that the lenders will sign off on it."
"At the end of the day YRC has shown it is a cat with nine lives and it doesn't seem like we're at the ninth life yet," said Longbow Research analyst Lee Klaskow.
"YRCW continues to have survival options even if the 95 percent hurdle rate is not met ... but YRCW's current equity value is likely worthless under any circumstances," Langenfeld wrote in his report. "We believe that at current bond prices suggest that bondholders will not fully support this debt-for-equity swap."
Outcome of YRC trucker bond exchange in question | Reuters

Navistar Buys Concrete Mixer Company

Navistar International Corp. said Monday that it has acquired Continental Manufacturing Co., a manufacturer of concrete mixer trucks.
Continental makes rear discharge concrete mixers and sells replacement parts for mixers, Navistar said in a statement.
“This deal is another example of how Navistar is growing the business by leveraging what we have and what others have built,” Jack Allen, president of Navistar’s North American truck group, said in a statement.
Navistar Buys Concrete Mixer Company | Transport Topics Online | Trucking, Freight Transportation and Logistics News

Dow...10,390.11 +1.21 +0.01%

Nasdaq...2,189.61 -4.74 -0.22%

S&P 500...1,103.25 -2.73 -0.25%


VTNC...9.94...+0.17...+1.74%
SAIA...15.01...+0.25...+1.69%
CNW...32.82...+0.20...+0.61%
UPS...57.87...+0.00...+0.00%....After Hours: 59.30 +1.43 (+2.47%) 7:56pm ET
FDX...87.62...-0.31...-0.35%.....After Hours: 90.26 +2.74 (+3.13%) 7:26pm ET
ABFS...27.09...-0.28...-1.02%
HTLD...15.26...-0.17...-1.10%
LSTR...38.31...-0.53...-1.36%
ODFL...28.26...-0.42...-1.46%
KNX...18.09...-0.41...-2.22%
JBHT...32.89...-0.91...-2.69%
YRCW...1.14...-0.04...-3.39%

FDX--
Fedex Preannounces Q2 Upside; Stock Up 3% - Stocks To Watch Today - Barrons.com
After Hours Action: FedEx - CNBC
U.S. and Japan near landmark aviation agreement | Reuters
UPDATE 1-Deutsche Post offers ADRs to attract U.S. investors | Reuters
Is It Time to Sell FedEx? (FDX)
The Dollar/Stocks Seesaw - Forbes.com
FedEx raises outlook; shares gain ground late - MarketWatch
Summary of FEDEX CORP - Yahoo! Finance
FedEx Boosts Second-Quarter Guidance Above Analyst Estimates - FOXBusiness.com
FedEx raises fiscal 2nd-quarter forecast, shares rise - Yahoo! Finance
FedEx raises second quarter guidance - Memphis Business Journal:
FedEx Hikes Guidance; Stock Pops | Transportation | Financial Articles & Investing News | TheStreet.com
FedEx Boosts Earnings View - WSJ.com
FedEx Sees International, Ground Demand Growing | Journal of Commerce
'Fast Money' Recap: Riding on FedEx | Fast Money Recap | Financial Articles & Investing News | TheStreet.com

UPS--
Yahoo!
UPS Freight Expanding in Canada | Journal of Commerce
UPS Freight Broadens Canadian Service - Yahoo! Finance
In Play &reg - Yahoo! Finance - The basics of investing.
Make Millions From Thousands
IBD's Top 10 - Monday - Yahoo! Finance
FT.com / Companies / Industrial Goods - FedEx exceeds profit expectations

CNW--
Con-way Truckload Regional Expanding to Meet Customer Demand - Yahoo! Finance
Con-way Truckload Doubles Regional Capacity | Journal of Commerce
Con-way trucking expanding in 10 U.S. states | Reuters

YRCW--
Outcome of YRC trucker bond exchange in question | Reuters

Stocks Flop After Brief Bernanke Boost

Sometimes, there's just nothing you can say to lift someone's mood.
Stocks ended Monday's session with a flop after a brief boost as comments from Fed chief Ben Bernanke tamped down worries about interest rates.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended flat, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq slipped about 0.2 percent each.
We still have some way to go before we can be assured that the recovery will be self-sustaining," Bernanke said in prepared remarks to the Economic Club of Washington.
Stocks Flop After Brief Bernanke Boost - CNBC

Art Cashin: The Short-Covering Trigger Now

Stock markets were mildly positive Monday as an upgrade on credit-card issuers and news from Boeing counterbalanced qualms of a rate increase — qualms which had dampened jobs-report euphoria on Friday.
"There are some signs that the market is getting tired," Cashin said.
"But we're really at a very critical technical juncture here. And they're taking their lead from the dollar."
CNBC Stock Blog — Art Cashin: Short Covering and the US Dollar — CNBC.com Market News - CNBC

Double-Dip Recession Still Possible: Chief Investor

“A lot of stimulus has been put into place already and it will continue to be a bit of a tailwind for Q4 and Q1. But after that, the momentum that government is hoping to build and hand over to consumers—I don’t see it,” Gallagher told CNBC.
“We see some sort of slowdown,” he said. “Governments may continue to prolong it—they may get additional stimulus—but at the end of the day, the consumer is 55 to 65 percent of each of these economies. And if the consumer is not healthy, I don’t see how the economy can be expected to function properly.”
CNBC Stock Blog — Double-Dip Recession Still Possible: Chief Investor - CNBC

GM in Talks on Partial Saab Sale to Beijing Automotive

General Motors is talking to BAIC, China's fifth largest car maker, about a partial sale of assets associated with its Saab brand, including tooling and technology, two people with direct
knowledge of the discussions said.
Beijing Automotive Industry has made it clear that it has no interest in acquiring Saab's production hub in Trollhattan, Sweden, according to the people who could not be named because the talks remain private.
GM in Talks on Partial Saab Sale to Beijing Automotive - CNBC

Retiree Tax Heavens (and Hells), 2009-2010

Federal taxes will be about the same no matter where you live, but state and local tax burdens can vary greatly, especially if you’re retired. Click on any state below to get a full lowdown on tax treatment for retirees. Or select a tax category that interests you, to see which states have the highest and lowest rates. For more, read Tax-Friendly Places to Retire.
State-by-State Guide to Taxes on Retirees, 2009-2010 - Kiplinger.com

Capital Gains: Investors May Take the Money and Run

Leftover losses from 2008 and the threat of higher taxes in the coming year could inspire more investors to harvest higher-than-usual capital gains before the end of the 2009.
Indeed, seasoned investors have been taking advantage of this rule to minimize taxes on investment income for years, selling losing assets such as stocks and bonds to offset the profits of other ones, but the enormous losses of the stock market meltdown of 2008-2009 followed by an eight-month rally has created an unusual situation.
Capital Gains: Take The Money And Run - CNBC

GM's CEO Search Goes Global

With GM now searching for a permanent CEO, the hunt will be unlike any the auto industry or the folks in Detroit have seen before.
For decades, U.S. automakers have promoted from within and the primary focus has been improving or, in recent years, fixing the company's North American business.
GM is looking for a CEO with extensive experience or expertise running global manufacturing firms. In particular, GM would love the next CEO to understand how to grow and leverage operations in Asia.
GM's CEO Search Goes Global - CNBC

Now you are up to speed and informed.
http://www.truckingboards.com/truck...ns-comments-stc-newsletter-21.html#post761836

 

[imported_River17]

Dow Sheds 1% Amid Recovery Worries

NEWS FLASH
TONIGHT BOTH YRC CHICAGO LOCALS VOTE NO ON 5% PAY REDUCTION.

Credit Downgrades Spook Stocks

Stocks posted their steepest daily loss this month as comments from credit-rating agencies rekindled worries about Dubai and other sovereign borrowers.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 104.14 points, or 1%, to 10285.97, its biggest decline since Nov. 27, after Dubai said it would postpone payments on debt of some state-controlled entities.
FedEx shares rose 2.7% after the company lifted its earnings estimate for the quarter by more than 10%, citing cost cutting and demand from Asia and Latin America among other factors.
Credit Downgrades Spook Stocks; Dow Industrials Decline 104 Points - WSJ.com

FedEx Looks Strong – Buy This Stock Instead

“We’ve probably seen the worst.”

That’s a direct quote from FedEx [FDX 89.89 2.37 (+2.71%) ] CEO Fred Smith back on March 19, right as the market was bottoming. Investors who followed his lead caught a double in the stock, and a 39% jump in the S&P 500.
Well, Smith made another bold prediction on Monday, saying that his company would beat the Street’s earnings expectations for the fiscal second quarter – 85 cents – by 25 cents. Why is that important? Because FedEx is one of the best gauges of worldwide commerce.
“When it says things are going to be much better than expected,” Cramer said, “I think you’d better listen.”
Mad Money: FedEx Looks Strong – Buy This Stock Instead - CNBC

Dow Jones to Drop YRC from Index

Planned debt-equity swap triggers removal from industry stock barometer

Dow Jones will drop YRC Worldwide from its index of transportation stocks as the country’s largest trucker faces a deadline today on a major measure aimed at stabilizing the company’s finances.
Dow Jones Indexes said it would remove the nation’s largest trucking company from its Dow Jones Transportation Average by the close of business Dec. 11.
The announcement came as YRC awaits word on whether bondholders will accept a proposed debt-for-equity swap by the end of the day Tuesday.
“If not enough bondholders agree to the exchange, many observers expect that YRC Worldwide could file for bankruptcy protection, which disqualifies a stock from being a component in any of the Dow Jones Averages,” Dow Jones Indexes said today.
YRC Worldwide has been in the Dow Jones average since 1995.
Dow Jones to Drop YRC from Index | Journal of Commerce

NASDAQ Clears YRC to Issue New Shares

Stock exchange grants imperiled carrier exception to listing rules

The NASDAQ stock exchange gave YRC Worldwide a green light to issue millions of shares of new stock without first getting approval from its shareholders.
NASDAQ’s nod will keep YRC Worldwide shares trading on the stock exchange and clear the way for a massive debt-for-equity swap with YRC’s bondholders.
NASDAQ Clears YRC to Issue New Shares | Journal of Commerce

YRC Worldwide nears deadline for $537M debt exchange

YRC Worldwide Inc. faces a deadline Tuesday night to complete a more than $500 million debt-for-equity exchange vital to its survival.
Unless the Overland Park-based trucking giant (Nasdaq: YRCW) extends the exchange, it will end at 10:59 p.m. YRC has a benchmark of getting 95 percent of bondholders — who hold about $537 million, or roughly a third, of YRC debt — to swap the bonds for the equivalent of 95 percent of YRC common stock.
If the exchange falls short, as some think it will, YRC can ask lenders to lower the benchmark participation rate. Otherwise, the specter of bankruptcy looms nearer for the company, which is in the midst of a dramatic turnaround effort that has included two rounds of union concessions, thousands of layoffs, property sales, multiple amendments to lending agreements and other measures as the company faces diving revenue and losses.
YRC Worldwide nears deadline for $537M debt exchange - Kansas City Business Journal:

Trucking Bankruptcies, Pricing Edge Up

Sequential increase in third quarter failures points to firmer pricing, Avondale Partners says

Trucking bankruptcies are beginning to climb again, putting upward pressure on rates just as shippers prepare contracts for bidding in the first quarter of 2010.
The number of motor carrier bankruptcies rose 8.6 percent from the second quarter to the third as 405 companies shut down, said investment banking firm Avondale Partners.
The number of trucks pulled out of service more than doubled from quarter to quarter, rising from 6,725 to 14,135, Avondale said. The average fleet size of the carriers that closed rose from 18 to 35 trucks.
That hardly put a dent in the glut of excess capacity, however, taking only 0.7 percent of the nation’s heavy truck capacity off the highways, the firm said.
Trucking Bankruptcies, Pricing Edge Up | Journal of Commerce

Schneider Launches Northeast Regional Service

'Uptick' in freight helps propel expansion ahead of schedule

Schneider National is expanding its regional truckload service into the Northeast, propelled by customer demand in a fourth quarter that is proving stronger than forecast.
“We’re actually ahead of schedule,” said Marc Rogers, vice president and general manager of Schneider Regional. The regional division of Schneider initially planned to roll into the Northeast early next year, but “we’ve already started,” Rogers said.
“We’ve got about 100 drivers that are currently positioning themselves to begin that work,” he said. “Our salespeople are out knocking on doors.”
Most important, Schneider has identified two “anchor customers” in the 11-state region.
Schneider Launches Northeast Regional Service | Journal of Commerce

Trucks Hauled 58 Percent of North American Freight in '08

Trucks carried 58 percent of the freight measured by value between the U.S., Canada and Mexico in 2008, accounting for $554 billion, beating out rail, maritime, pipeline and air, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
According to the data, the number of trucks entering the U.S. in 2008 was 10.8 million, including 5.89 million from Canada and 4.87 million from Mexico.
In general, more than $964 billion worth of goods crossed the U.S. border in trade with Canada and Mexico last year, up 6.1 percent from 2007. U.S. merchandise trade with Canada and Mexico, its two largest trading partners, rose by more than $335 billion or by 53.2 percent in the five years between 2003 and 2008.
Trucks Hauled 58 Percent of North American Freight in '08

Dow...10,285.97 -104.14 -1.00%

Nasdaq...2,172.99 -16.62 -0.76%

S&P 500...1,091.94 -11.31 -1.03%


ABFS...28.73...+1.64...+6.05%
CNW...34.30...+1.48...+4.51%
ODFL...29.42...+1.16...+4.10%
SAIA...15.50...+0.49...+3.26%
FDX...89.89...+2.37...+2.71%
JBHT...33.29...+0.40...+1.22%
KNX...18.25...+0.16...+0.88%
LSTR...38.42...+0.12...+0.31%
HTLD...15.28...+0.02...+0.13%
VTNC...9.93...-0.01...-0.10%
UPS...57.74...-0.13...-0.22%
YRCW...0.99...-0.15...-13.16%

FDX--
Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News -- Seeking Alpha
FedEx: Delivering Early Holiday Cheer? - MarketBeat - WSJ
Morning Movers: Fedex Climbs, Lafley Leaves P&G - Stocks To Watch Today - Barrons.com
Tuesday Options Recap -- Seeking Alpha
Into the Close: AZO Rises, Fedex Holds Onto Gains - Stocks To Watch Today - Barrons.com
Equities Update: Global Stocks Fall -- Seeking Alpha
Pops & Drops: Green Mountain, Motorola... - CNBC
Stock Picks: FDX Up, MCD Down at SmartMoney.com
CEOs Are Bullish on Sales, But Not on Hiring - FOXBusiness.com
FedEx Flies Like An Eagle - Forbes.com
Stocks Skid as Sales Drop at McDonald's - CNBC
Dec. 8: Unusual Volume Leaders - CNBC
FT.com / Transport - Activist hedge fund swoops for 5% TNT stake
Recovery Doubts Ding U.S. Stocks - Forbes.com
Stocks Slide on Greek Credit Jitters at SmartMoney.com
FedEx Loves It "When a Plan Comes Together" (FDX)
US STOCKS-Wall St rattled by recovery uncertainty | Reuters
Crisis Sends Ripples Abroad, Sinking ETFs at SmartMoney.com
Stocks Can't Find Footing - Yahoo! Finance
Dow Sheds 1% Amid Recovery Worries - CNBC
CNNMoney.com Market Report - Dec. 8, 2009
Business Highlights - Yahoo! Finance
Stock market drops as dollar strengthens - Yahoo! Finance
Video - CNBC.com
Cramer's 'Mad Money' Recap: Opportunity Knocks (Final) | Mad Money Recap | Financial Articles & Investing News | TheStreet.com
Credit Downgrades Spook Stocks; Dow Industrials Decline 104 Points - WSJ.com
Mad Money: FedEx Looks Strong – Buy This Stock Instead - CNBC

UPS--
UPDATE 3-Funds take TNT stake, raise break-up prospects | Reuters
FedEx Guidance Helps Lift Futures - Yahoo! Finance
FedEx shares rise on sunnier outlook - MarketWatch
FT.com / Lex / Transport & Infrastructure - TNT
They Just Don't Get FedEx!
Yahoo!
Coke, UPS on top brands list - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
Niche Sites Going After eBay - WSJ.com

CNW--
UPDATE 1-YRC shares fall amid exchange dealings | Reuters

YRCW--
Delta to replace YRC Worldwide on Dow Transport - MarketWatch
Dow Jones to Drop YRC from Index | Journal of Commerce
NASDAQ Clears YRC to Issue New Shares | Journal of Commerce
YRC Worldwide nears deadline for $537M debt exchange - Kansas City Business Journal:
YRC stock sinks after being removed from Dow index - Yahoo! Finance
Dow Jones will drop YRC Worldwide from transportation index - Kansas City Business Journal:
YRC Worldwide Receives NASDAQ Exception in Debt for Equity Exchange - Yahoo! Finance
In Play &reg - Yahoo! Finance - The basics of investing.
Talbots, YRC Worldwide, H&R Block are big movers - Yahoo! Finance
Summary of YRC WORLDWIDE INC - Yahoo! Finance
Nasdaq: YRC Worldwide can issue debt-swap stock without shareholder approval - Kansas City Business Journal:
UPDATE 1-YRC shares fall amid exchange dealings | Reuters

Dow Sheds 1% Amid Recovery Worries

Stocks skidded Tuesday as disappointing reports from McDonald's, 3M and Kroger offset an earnings beat from FedEx.
That exacerbated worries about the recovery and sent investors fleeing to safety, which sent the dollar higher.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost more than 100 points, or 1 percent, led by Bank of America. Twenty-nine of 30 components declined — Verizon was the only gainer.
Dow Sheds 1% Amid Recovery Worries - CNBC

Art Cashin: Dollar Trade Could End 'Very Badly'

U.S. stock markets are sliding Tuesday on a stronger dollar and disappointing announcements from McDonald's and 3M. Art Cashin, director of floor operations at UBS Financial Services, told CNBC why the markets are especially "vulnerable" now.
"We're in a kind of ambiguous pattern now that could break out either way," Cashin said.
"We're at the end of certain 'cocktail napkin' formations and we're waiting for resolutions. It concerns me, because if it gets weak, and it's appreciably weak, it could start to change the charts around."
CNBC Stock Blog — Art Cashin: Dollar Trade Could End 'Very Badly' — CNBC.com Market News - CNBC

Government 'Out of Bullets'; Consumers in Trouble: Whitney

The government is running out of ways to help the economy as the US faces major issues regarding credit and employment ahead, banking analyst Meredith Whitney told CNBC.
"I think they're out of bullets," Whitney said in an interview during which she reinforced remarks she made last month indicating she is strongly pessimistic about the prospects for recovery.
Primary among her concerns is the lack of credit access for consumers who she said are "getting kicked out of the financial system." She said that will be the prevailing trend in 2010.
Government 'Out of Bullets,' Consumers in Trouble: Whitney - CNBC

Whitacre Web Chat: A Few Comments Go A Long Way

One week after taking over the GM CEO job, Ed Whitacre finally took questions from reporters about the troubled automaker, his goals for the company, and the culture change he is leading at General Motors.
If you were hoping for long detailed answers that shed light into the strategy of Whitacre and the GM board, get ready to be disappointed.
Whitacre Web Chat: A Few Comments Go A Long Way - CNBC

Helicopter Ben’s Crash Course

Despite Friday’s optimistic jobs report and increasing evidence of a moderate economic recovery across-the-board, Fed head Ben Bernanke showed no monetary backbone in his speech before the Washington Economics Club.
As far as Bernanke is concerned, it’s going to be ultra-low rates and a growing Fed balance sheet as far as the eye can see. In other words, no dollar protection whatsoever.
Unfortunately, the longer the Fed waits to raise rates, the more difficult and harsh its eventual exit strategy is going to be. Increasingly, I believe that Bernanke’s timidity today will ultimately lead to ½ and ¾ quarter-point interest rate hikes down the road—not ¼ point hikes. Stocks are not going to like that shock one bit.
Helicopter Ben’s Crash Course - CNBC

Now you are up to speed and informed.
http://www.truckingboards.com/truck...074-questions-comments-stc-newsletter-21.html

 

[imported_River17]

US Stocks Close Higher as Materials Stocks Rise

FedEx, UPS Deliver Clues About Market Direction

Stocks blew off good news from package delivery leader FedEx (FDX) and instead focused on government credit ratings here and abroad. Equities fell about 1% at the open and never recovered as the US dollar rallied and closed above short-term resistance levels.
Yesterday morning package delivery giant FedEx delivered good news and a rosy forecast to the market.
Investors and traders responded in kind by taking FedEx shares up 2.7% on the day to a new 52-week high.
So what should one make of this seeming contradiction? FedEx is a leading transportation company and it plays an integral role in business, government, and consumer activities. Shouldn’t the market take its cue from such influential stocks? Surely good news from FedEx is good news for the economy and by proxy, the stock market?
FedEx, UPS Deliver Clues About Market Direction-Minyanville

YRC Debt Offer Falls Short, Extended One Week

Trucker extends deadline by one week for critical offer to bondholders

YRC Worldwide extended the deadline for the trucking giant’s high-stakes debt-for-equity exchange offer for bondholders Wednesday after it failed to get enough support to put the plan into effect.
The company, seeking to stave off a potential filing for bankruptcy protection, said 72 percent of its note holders had agreed to the exchange offer by the 11:59 p.m. EST Tuesday deadline, “which is below the minimum percentage required as a condition to the offers.” Industry investment analysts believe the company, saddled with debt after losing more than $2 billion in less than three years and watching customers shift away from its services, will have to file for bankruptcy protection if the offer is not approved.
YRC Debt Offer Falls Short, Extended One Week | Journal of Commerce

Chicago Teamsters Reject YRC Concessions

Local drivers, dockworkers say 'no' a third time to wage, benefit cuts

YRC Worldwide Teamsters in Chicago again rejected wage and benefit cuts approved by the most of the unionized employees at the troubled less-than-truckload company.
It was the third time the YRC drivers and dockworkers were asked to vote on a 15 percent wage cut and 18-month suspension of pension contributions already approved by the majority of union employees at YRC Worldwide’s national and regional companies.
City drivers in Teamsters Local 705 rejected the concessions 234 to 132 Dec. 8, while dockworkers in Local 710 voted them down 337 to 319. Only maintenance workers in Local 710 accepted the cuts, voting to approve them 8 to 4.
Teamsters at Reddaway, YRC's northwest regional subsidiary, rejected a contract proposal in a 214 to 208 vote Dec. 2, the dissident Teamsters for a Democratic Union reported.
Chicago Teamsters Reject YRC Concessions | Journal of Commerce

Dow...10,337.05 +51.08 +0.50%

Nasdaq...2,183.73 +10.74 +0.49%

S&P 500...1,095.95 +4.01 +0.37%


YRCW...1.08...+0.09...+9.09%
ODFL...30.90...+1.48...+5.03%
JBHT...33.98...+0.68...+2.04%
CNW...34.66...+0.41...+1.20%
SAIA...15.57...+0.07...+0.45%
LSTR...38.47...+0.05...+0.13%
UPS...57.77...+0.03...+0.05%
HTLD...15.19...-0.09...-0.59%
KNX...18.05...-0.18...-0.99%
ABFS...28.42...-0.29...-1.01%
FDX...88.97...-0.91...-1.01%
VTNC...9.73...-0.20...-2.01%

FDX--
Futures Outlook: Investors Take Some Risk off the Table -- Seeking Alpha
YRC Jumps As Debt Holders Buy In - Stocks To Watch Today - Barrons.com
FedEx vs. UPS: Analyst's Toolkit | Financial Advisor Update | Financial Articles & Investing News | TheStreet.com
3 Stocks I Saw on TV
Stocks on the Move: 3M, FedEx, Kimco, Motorola - BusinessWeek
FedEx, UPS Deliver Clues About Market Direction-Minyanville
UPDATE 4-AimCo/Jana working with TNT to unlock value | Reuters
Dow Theory: Another View | Financial Advisor Update | Financial Articles & Investing News | TheStreet.com
Take a Gander at Metal-Bending Stocks - Striking Price Daily - S. Sears - Barrons.com
Why Is Corning Distorting? (GLW)
Inside Tiger's Business Empire - Forbes.com
In Pictures: Inside Tiger's Business Empire - Inside Tiger's Business Empire - Forbes.com
Cramer's 'Mad Money' Follow-Up: Dec. 9 | Mad Money Follow-Up | Financial Articles & Investing News | TheStreet.com

UPS--
FACTBOX-Apple, GE, CAT, among JPMorgan's 2010 top picks | Reuters

CNW--
YRC Jumps As Debt Holders Buy In - Stocks To Watch Today - Barrons.com

SAIA--
4-Star Stocks on the Upswing

YRCW--
YRC Jumps As Debt Holders Buy In - Stocks To Watch Today - Barrons.com
YRC Debt Offer Falls Short, Extended One Week | Journal of Commerce

US Stocks Close Higher as Materials Stocks Rise

Stocks rebounded Wednesday, as a weaker U.S. dollar gave a boost to commodities, sending materials stocks higher.
The greenback retreated 0.5 percent against a basket of major currencies. Oil settled below $71 a barrel after a report showed inventories fell, instead of rising as expected. Gold fell to around $1,120 an ounce.
US Stock Market: US Stocks Close Higher as Materials Stocks Rise - CNBC

Markets to Rise Another 15-20% by Mid-2010: Strategist

“I do expect the market to rise another 15 to 20 percent by the summer,” Grigoli told CNBC. “Fundamentals are very favorable—you’ve got the economy improving, profits are soaring, valuations are very cheap, acquisition activity is likely to accelerate very dramatically ... So this is favorable for equity prices and I do think that you remain invested.”
CNBC Stock Blog —Markets to Rise Another 15-20% by Mid-2010: Strategist - CNBC

Stock Market 'Simply Out of Fuel': Portfolio Manager

Wright said he is getting ready to buy the dollar and thinks it’s going to be a multi-month trade.
“The stock market is simply out of fuel,” he said. “It’s the same enthusiasm and bubble atmosphere in the summer and fall of 2007. [I expect] equities to be negative in 2010.”
CNBC Stock Blog — Stock Market 'Simply Out of Fuel': Portfolio Manager - CNBC

VW Deals and Takes Big Swing at #1 Worldwide

Volkswagen, the world's #3 automaker may not be a brand with much pull here in the U.S., but around the world it's flexing its muscle.
In the last two days it has struck two deals that should go a long ways towards helping the German automaker eventually pass Toyota to become #1 in the world.
Yesterday, VW spent $5.8 Billion to buy just under half of Porsche. This morning, it plunked down another $2.5 Billion for 20% of Suzuki.
That's $8.3 Billion for substantial stakes in two brands that have sizable presence in Europe and Asia. Two sizable investments VW plans to use to expand its reach around the world, and yes to surpass Toyota as #1. VW is already well positioned being #1 in Europe and a close #2 in China. Where it lacks strength are in developing markets, particularly in India. That's where the Suzuki's dominance will pay off.
VW Deals and Takes Big Swing at #1 Worldwide - CNBC

Is Obama Going Supply-Side?

In NRO’s coverage of Obama’s jobs speech at the Brookings Institution yesterday, I have yet to see any mention of supply-side tax cuts.
The president’s jobs proposal includes a zero capital-gains tax-rate for small-business investors, and full cash-expensing for small-business investment in plant and equipment.
These are potentially powerful incentives for the job-creating small-biz sector. They may only last for a year or so, depending on the mark-up. But they are good things in and of themselves, and they suggest that Obama is aware of incentive effects on economic growth.
Is Obama Going Supply-Side? - CNBC

Now you are up to speed and informed.
http://www.truckingboards.com/truck...074-questions-comments-stc-newsletter-21.html

 

[imported_River17]

Consumer Stocks Lead Advance; Disney Gains

Comparing Shipping Giants: FedEx vs. UPS

On a lethargic day in terms of market action on Monday, the day’s biggest news arrived in the after-hours session when FedEx (FDX) boosted its profit guidance for the current quarter to $1.10 a share from 65-95 cents a share. FedEx cited increased demand for its international and ground shipping services as the catalyst for the robust quarter. Throw in the fact that the holiday shopping season is usually the busiest time of year for FedEx and its chief rival UPS (UPS) and it may be time to take a look at adding one of these stocks to your portfolio.
Comparing Shipping Giants: FedEx vs. UPS -- Seeking Alpha

California Eases Emissions Rules for Truckers

But CARB's order for more flexibility does not apply to drayage carriers

With the global recession pummeling truck traffic, the California Air Resources Board will give motor carriers in the state more flexibility in complying with standards designed to reduce diesel pollution.
While CARB’s actions should provide relief to over-the-road truckers, strict emission standards affecting truckers serving the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland will not be affected.
After a public hearing Wednesday on California’s Truck and Bus Rule, CARB directed its staff to return in April with a new provision that would provide truck fleets more flexibility in reducing harmful diesel emissions.
California Eases Emissions Rules for Truckers | Journal of Commerce

Congress Readies $122.1 Billion for DOT, HUD

Massive federal appropriations bill heads to House, Senate for final vote


A House-Senate conference committee cleared a massive spending bill that provides $122.1 billion in transportation, housing and development funding in 2010.
The appropriations for the Department of Transportation and Department of Housing and Urban Development were part of a $1.1 trillion package funding nine cabinet agencies as well as benefit programs including Medicare.
The bill, which dedicates $447 billion to the nine cabinet departments, will go to the full Senate and House for a final vote, expected by Dec. 18, when stop-gap funding expires.
Congress Readies $122.1 Billion for DOT, HUD | Journal of Commerce

Freight TSI Down For Second Month in a Row

The Freight Transportation Services Index was down in October from its September level, its second straight monthly fall following September's 0.5 percent decrease, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The Freight TSI was off 1.2 percent from September, landing at 94.5 during the month.
Prior to September, the index had seen four straight months without a decline, the first four-month period without a decline in the index since 2002. However, despite the boost, the index has dropped in 11 of the past 15 months and in six of the 10 months in 2009.
Freight TSI Down For Second Month in a Row

Dow...10,405.83 +68.78 +0.67%

Nasdaq...2,190.86 +7.13 +0.33%

S&P 500...1,102.35 +6.40 +0.58%


CNW...34.93...+0.26...+0.75%
UPS...57.60...-0.16...-0.28%
LSTR...38.28...-0.19...-0.49%
HTLD...15.10...-0.09...-0.59%
KNX...17.94...-0.12...-0.66%
ODFL...30.62...-0.28...-0.91%
FDX...88.00...-1.00...-1.12%
VTNC...9.62...-0.11...-1.13%
ABFS...28.00...-0.42...-1.48%
JBHT...33.44...-0.54...-1.59%
SAIA...15.26...-0.31...-1.99%
YRCW...1.01...-0.07...-6.48%

FDX--
Comparing Shipping Giants: FedEx vs. UPS -- Seeking Alpha
Stock Picks: Texas Instuments, FedEx - BusinessWeek
Yahoo!
A 1-in-100 Investor (UPS)
Business events scheduled for the coming week - Yahoo! Finance
Five tips: Landing a corporate board seat - Postcards

UPS--
Comparing Shipping Giants: FedEx vs. UPS -- Seeking Alpha
Yahoo!
A 1-in-100 Investor (UPS)

CNW--
Buying Stocks by Watching Bonds - Forbes.com

Consumer Stocks Lead Advance; Disney Gains

Stocks advanced, following encouraging reports on jobless claims and the trade deficit. Budding optimism about the recovery made consumer-discretionary stocks the day's best performer. Disney led the Dow.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 68.78, or 0.7 percent, to close at 10,405.83. The S&P 500 added 0.6 percent and the Nasdaq rose 0.3 percent.
Consumer Stocks Lead Advance; Disney Gains - CNBC

Art Cashin: The S&P's New 'Sell Signal' Number

U.S. jobless claims rose more than expected last week—by 17,000 to 474,000—after five straight weeks of declines, according to the Labor Department. Art Cashin, director of floor operations at UBS Financial Services, shared his market insights.
“I think [markets are] still depending on the joy from the non-farm payroll data and look at this as a potential blip—and if it were to worsen again next week that will be a problem,” Cashin told CNBC.
“There’s always a theory here that in the month of December, you’ll limit initial unemployment claims because no one wants to fire anybody in front of Christmas."
CNBC Stock Blog — Art Cashin: The S&P's New 'Sell Signal' Number — CNBC.com Market News - CNBC

A Testy Exchange at White House Over Jobs Proposals

As diplomats might say of a meeting between rivals that is just short of undiplomatic, President Obama and Congressional Republican leaders had a full and frank discussion at the White House on Wednesday when they met to discuss how to create more jobs.
The 90-minute session, while described by both sides as cordial over all, was a bit testy at times. Mr. Obama and the Republicans aired their philosophical differences over whether the government should keep spending money for stimulus measures to spur employers to hire, as Democrats favor and the Republicans oppose.
A Testy Exchange at White House Over Jobs Proposals - CNBC

Kneale: The Real Truth of Tiger's Trysts

Can the betrayal and humiliation in the Tiger Woods scandal possibly get any worse? So the world’s best athlete and highest-paid celebrity endorser—fit, gorgeous, well-spoken and worth half a billion dollars—turns out to be a randy cheater.
Sorry guys, but, is this really all that shocking?
The bigger question is why we care, beyond a rubbernecking obsession with the salacious. Not since the Monica Lewinsky scandal has the public witnessed such a cataclysmic collision of power and sex, of image vs. reality. Several important truths emerge from the whole sordid, um, affair:
Kneale: The Real Truth of Tiger's Trysts - CNBC

GM's Musical Chairs Still Looking For The Right Song

The leadership changes at GM keep coming.
The latest, two new people running Chevrolet as well as Buick/GMC are out.
One has been replaced, the other not yet.
It's hardly a surprise, given the culture change Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre is leading at GM.
And to be honest, I think these types of changes will continue for some time to come.
GM's Musical Chairs Still Looking For The Right Song - CNBC

Goldman's Announcement Now A 'Bonus' To Critics

Goldman Sachs [GS 166.85 0.41 (+0.25%) ] announcement that they will pay their top 30 managers their 2009 bonuses in restricted stock is an appropriate response to the concerns about executive pay, but don't kid yourself: it is unlikely to quell the criticism of Goldman or the banking industry.
Goldman's Announcement Now A 'Bonus' To Critics - CNBC

Now you are up to speed and informed.
http://www.truckingboards.com/truck...074-questions-comments-stc-newsletter-21.html

 

[speedracer21]

how do you find the time to post all of those pictures and news stories river17 ?

 

[imported_River17]

how do you find the time to post all of those pictures and news stories river17 ?

goldcross

Sometimes it is not so easy but.........
somebody has to do it.

And I'm not even compensated by FedEx.

 

[Slackdragon]

And I'm not even compensated by FedEx.

.......

 

[imported_River17]

Dow Ends Higher—Even as Dollar Gains

WEEKEND EDITION.....................................POST 5555.

NM chamber sides with FedEx in labor law debate

Down with Brown: Albuquerque chamber sides with FedEx over rival UPS in labor law debate

The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce has sided with FedEx Corp. following a debate with rival package delivery company UPS Inc.
Representatives from the two companies argued before the chamber in October about a labor bill pending in Congress. The House version would switch FedEx Express employees to the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Act. They're now under the National Railway Labor Act, which makes it harder to strike.
Chamber President and CEO Terri Cole said Thursday that the chamber's board found no compelling reason to change the labor laws.
The chamber says current laws promote cost-effective and quality package delivery service.
NM chamber sides with FedEx in labor law debate - Yahoo! Finance

Stronger retail sales and sentiment boost stocks

Big jump in retail sales sends stocks higher for 3rd day; Consumer confidence rebounds

Encouraging news about how consumers feel about the economy and how much they're spending sent stocks higher on Friday.
The strong showing in retail sales last month raised hopes that consumers are starting to feel more comfortable opening their wallets after months of building savings. The 1.3 percent increase was more than double the gain that analysts had forecast.
Next week, investors will be looking to the policy statement that follows a two-day meeting of the Fed's interest rate committee for clues on the direction of interest rates. Reports are also due on housing and industrial production, and companies including Best Buy Co. and FedEx Corp. are scheduled to post quarterly earnings.
Stronger retail sales and sentiment boost stocks - Yahoo! Finance

Kraft Foods Cuts 50 MIllion Truck Miles

Shipper's sustainability effort cuts emissions across global distribution network

Kraft Foods took 50 million truck miles out of its global distribution operations through a broad effort to overhaul shipping strategies and make its supply chain more efficient, the food giant said.
The $42 billion manufacturer of products from Kraft cheese to Maxwell House coffee to Oscar Mayer meats chopped the highway miles over the past four years using alternatives to trucking, and rethinking its distribution network on a broad scale.
Some of its inbound and outbound freight shifted from highways to rail and to waterways, the company said. It also streamlined distribution, repositioning hubs and other facilities to reduce the number of trucks it needs and the number of miles they travel.
"We think about miles, piles and idles when moving our product," Steve Yucknut, vice president of sustainability at the Northfield, Ill.-based company, said last month. "We're finding ways to drive fewer miles, reduce inventory piles and eliminate idling trucks."
Kraft Foods Cuts 50 MIllion Truck Miles | Journal of Commerce

Driver Pay Hike Averts French Truck Strike

Carriers agree to give 610,000 drivers 4 percent wage increase

A truck driver strike that could have paralyzed European logistics networks was avoided when French truck drivers and employers reached a tentative agreement on a new contract Dec. 11.
Union officials said they would call off an indefinite walk out due to start on Sunday night after reaching an outline accord with trucking companies. The agreement, which has yet to be signed by the two sides, meets the unions’ demand for a 4 percent wage hike for France’s 610,000 truck drivers.
Unions also threatened to block access routes to major companies and industrial zones unless their demands were met.
Driver Pay Hike Averts French Truck Strike | Journal of Commerce

Retail Sales Set Pace for Mild Seasonal Peak

Small monthly gains encourage retailers despite slippage from last year

Advance seasonally adjusted estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for November were $352.1 billion, an increase of 1.3 percent from the previous month and 1.9 percent above November 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau announced Friday.
The government report and figures from the National Federation of Retailers marked an encouraging sign for shippers during this year’s peak season.
“Unlike last year, when the economic downturn caught everyone off-guard, retailers were able to plan ahead this holiday season with an eagle eye on low inventory and aggressive discounts,” said Rosalind Wells, NRF’s chief economist. “Retailers are encouraged to see momentum building in sales as they prepare for the final ten days before Christmas. Although November sales were encouraging, companies know that the holiday season is far from over and expect this year to come down to its usual photo finish.”
Retail Sales Set Pace for Mild Seasonal Peak | Journal of Commerce

Employee benefits bounce back as raises, 401(k) matches slowly return

FedEx recently delivered unexpected good news to more than 170,000 U.S. employees: Beginning Jan. 1, it will again provide some of the workplace benefits it suspended last year. Other firms, such as JPMorgan Chase, American Express and Motorola, also plan to beef up some of their benefits in 2010.
"There is a need to motivate and engage people," says Fred Crandall, a Watson Wyatt senior consultant. A decent benefits plan helps retain staffers who are considered valuable. Even in a down economy, "There is always a market for high-quality talent," Crandall says.
Employee benefits bounce back as raises, 401(k) matches slowly return - USATODAY.com

House Approves Pilot Program to Test Heavy Trucks in Maine, Vermont

The FY2010 Transportation Appropriations bill was approved in the House of Representatives Thursday, moving on to the Senate, which may take up the legislation as early as this weekend, according to the American Trucking Associations. The bill includes a provision that would launch a one-year pilot program to test heavier tractor-trailers in Maine and Vermont.
The Maine/Vermont provision, Section 194, would allow 108,000 to 120,000-pound six-axle trucks to operate on interstate roads and bridges in Vermont and 100,000-pound six-axle trucks on all Maine Interstate highways. The current Vermont limit for truck weights is 80,000 pounds gross weight. In addition, trucks hauling certain commodities can be operated at up to 99,000 pounds.
House Approves Pilot Program to Test Heavy Trucks in Maine, Vermont

Dow...10,471.50 +65.67 +0.63%

Nasdaq...2,190.31 -0.55 -0.03%

S&P 500...1,106.41 +4.06 +0.37%

Oil...69.87 -0.67 -0.95%

Gold...1,119.40 -6.30 -0.56%


VTNC...9.84...+0.22...+2.29%
JBHT...33.68...+0.24...+0.72%
UPS...58.02...+0.39...+0.68%
SAIA...15.33...+0.07...+0.46%
FDX...88.02...-0.02...-0.02%
HTLD...15.09...-0.01...-0.07%
LSTR...38.25...-0.03...-0.08%
CNW...34.88...-0.09...-0.26%
ABFS...27.74...-0.26...-0.93%
ODFL...30.32...-0.30...-0.98%
KNX...17.77...-0.18...-1.00%
YRCW...0.89...-0.12...-11.88%

FDX--
Inflation & Production Numbers Will Be Key - Yahoo! Finance
Retail Sales Up 1.3% in November - Yahoo! Finance
Rest Up For Busy Week Of U.S. Data, Earnings - MarketBeat - WSJ
The Week Ahead for Stocks: Fed Meets; Inflation, Housing Data - MarketBeat - WSJ
Get Ready to Buy
7 Reasons to Worry About Next Week
NM chamber sides with FedEx in labor law debate - Yahoo! Finance
Forbes.com Video Network | Intelligent Investing: A Web Of Things
Economic Recovery Begins in Your Pants
Week Ahead: Interest Rates Not Expected to Change - FOXBusiness.com
Utilities Plugging Into Electric-Car Effort - Yahoo! Finance
Wall St Week Ahead - Stock action hinges on Fed, data | Reuters

UPS--
NM chamber sides with FedEx in labor law debate - Yahoo! Finance
3 Huge Value Traps You Must Avoid Today
Economic Recovery Begins in Your Pants

Dow Ends Higher—Even as Dollar Gains

The Dow ended higher Friday—even as the dollar gained strength. Consumer discretionary was a standout after reports showed retail sales rising and consumers' mood improving.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 65.67, or 0.6 percent, to 10,471.50. The S&P 500 advanced 0.4 percent, while the Nasdaq ended slightly lower.
For the week, the Dow ended up about 100 points. The S&P and Nasdaq ended pretty much flat.
Dow Ends Higher—Even as Dollar Gains - CNBC

Week Ahead: Stocks Look Ready to Push Past 2009 Highs

Stocks should trend higher in the coming week and are in easy striking distance of a new high for the year.
The quadruple options expiration on Friday could add a flurry of volatility, but investors should take encouragement from a recent batch of better economic data that has some economists ratcheting up forecasts for fourth quarter growth. JPMorgan, for one, raised expectations for fourth quarter GDP growth to 4.5 percent from 3.5 percent after upside surprises in inventories, net exports and retail sales.
Stock Market and Investing Week Ahead: Week Ahead: Stocks Look Ready to Push Past 2009 Highs - CNBC

Market Outlook: Dollar Headed for a Bull Run?

CNBC's Courtney Reagan highlights the week's top business news stories, tells viewers what stocks the pros are recommending and looks ahead to next week's headlines.
Video - CNBC.com

Tiger Woods to Take Indefinite Hiatus From Pro Golf

Tiger Woods is taking an indefinite leave from professional golf to work on saving his family, using the word "infidelity" for the first time in a statement posted on his Web site.
"After much soul searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf," Woods said. "I need to focus my attention on being a better husband, father, and person."
Tiger Woods Scandal: Tiger Woods to Take Indefinite Hiatus From Professional Golf - CNBC

Are Americans Really Ready For a National Sales Tax?

Many See the VAT Option as a Cure for Deficits

Runaway federal deficits have thrust a politically unsavory savior into the spotlight: a nationwide tax on goods and services.
Members of Congress, like their constituents, are squeamish about such ideas, instead suggesting spending cuts or higher taxes on the rich. But with a lack of political will to do the former, and a practical ceiling to how much revenue can be milked from the latter, economists across the political spectrum say a consumption tax may be inevitable once the economy fully recovers.
Many See the VAT Option as a Cure for Deficits - CNBC

More Americans To Put Spending on a Diet Next Year

Making a New Year's resolution this year?
If you are, there's a good chance that this year's pledge will be focused on improving your finances. According to several recent surveys, consumers continue to be more cautious about their money and are looking to continue to get their financial houses in order next year.
New Year's Resolutions: More Americans To Put Spending on a Diet Next Year - CNBC

Is “The Beast” The Next Big Concession Item?

For years, the Gateway Grizzlies took pride in having the best minor league baseball concession item. But last year, the independent team based in Sauget, Ill., was unseated from their perch by the West Michigan Whitecaps’ Fifth Third Burger.
Once we named the Fifth Third Burger our “Minor League Concession Item Of The Year,” word about the 4,800-calorie gutbuster with 1.6 pounds of beef, salsa, melted cheese, chili and Fritos, spread around the country. In all, the team sold 1,948 of the four-pound burgers, with 298 fans finishing it themselves and in the process picking up a free T-shirt.
Is “The Beast†The Next Big Concession Item? - CNBC

More Good Economic News (Is Helicopter Ben Listening?)

First the good news on the economic recovery that everybody loves to hate:
Retail sales totally beat Wall Street estimates with a huge 1.3 percent gain in November. Core retail sales have increase 5.6 percent at an annual rate over the past three months. Family net wealth has rebounded $5 trillion over the past six months. Jobless claims keep trending lower. Business sales, up 1.1 percent in October (the latest data), have jumped 10.1 percent annually over the past three months. And business inventories, led by manufacturing, also rose in October.
More Good Economic News (Is Helicopter Ben Listening?) - CNBC

Now you are up to speed and informed.
http://www.truckingboards.com/truck...074-questions-comments-stc-newsletter-21.html

 

[imported_River17]

Stocks Hit 14-Month High; Dow Tops 10,500

Monopoly-Like Companies

The dream stock for any investor would be one without any competition of any kind. Stocks are rarely if ever in that situation, but there are businesses that operate with limited competition, and for that reason alone are worth a close look.
Monopoly-Like Companies

Trucking Keeps On ... Well, You Know

When you stop to think about it, the bulk of our economy rolls on eighteen mighty wheels. Trucking companies move the products of agriculture and mining; bring raw materials, intermediate goods, and spare parts to manufacturers; and ship finished goods from factories to wholesalers and retailers. In short, the industry might be an ideal barometer for the economy's overall health.
I also think trucks still command at least a couple of competitive advantages over railroads. In an improving economy, purchasers' focus tends to shift from price to convenience and expediency. Trucks are more convenient and more expedient (except for moving mass quantities of commodities like coal). In addition, trucks are more conducive to managing just-in-time inventory systems, which require more frequent, smaller deliveries.
Trucking Keeps On ... Well, You Know

EEOC Charges YRC With Race Discrimination

Agency says black employees faced ⓇⒶⒸⒾⓈⓉ graffiti, symbols, discrimination at Chicago-area terminal

YRC Worldwide faces a fresh challenge from the federal government, which filed a third lawsuit claiming the company's nationwide less-than-truckload carrier, YRC, discriminated against black employees at a Chicago-area terminal.
More than 200 black employees at YRC's Chicago Ridge, Ill., terminal allegedly were harassed with ⓇⒶⒸⒾⓈⓉ graffiti and comments and hangman’s nooses since at least 2004, says a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Dec. 10. YRC subjected black employees to harsher discipline and scrutiny than their white co-workers, according to the EEOC, and gave them more difficult and time-consuming work and jobs.
EEOC Charges YRC With Race Discrimination | Journal of Commerce

Analyst Sees LTL Truck Rates Deteriorating

Low prices drop further as carriers battle to fill networks, Longbow Research's Klaskow says

Already low less-than-truckload rates are falling further as truckers become “incrementally more aggressive," Longbow Research says.
LTL trucking companies such as Con-way Freight are cutting deep into prices to build volume, Longbow analyst Lee Klaskow said in a Dec. 14 note to investors.
Con-way's “aggressive pricing strategy has its network nearly at full utilization,” Klaskow said, while Old Dominion Freight Line — which reportedly resisted discounting in recent months — has “ready capacity.”
FedEx Freight and Con-way Freight “continue to be the leaders when it comes to aggressive pricing,” said Klaskow. “We believe pricing can do down even further as we head into the slow winter freight season.” Shippers report rate discounts as deep as 85 percent, Klaskow said.
Analyst Sees LTL Truck Rates Deteriorating | Journal of Commerce

Roadrunner Buys Bullet Freight Systems

Acquisition adds 'premium' LTL, Caliber Logistics to Roadrunner's national network

Roadrunner Transportation Services is connecting its Midwest markets with the West Coast by acquiring Bullet Freight Systems and its logistics unit, Caliber Logistics.
Bullet, with headquarters in Anaheim, Calif., offers "premium" less-than-truckload services in California, as well as truckload, intermodal and air freight services through Caliber Logistics.
The addition of Bullet makes Roadrunner a major transportation provider in the Los Angeles and Pacific Northwest markets and enhances its position in the Chicago market, the Milwaukee-based company said.
Roadrunner Buys Bullet Freight Systems | Journal of Commerce

Fitch Forecasts Modest 2010 Growth

Rail, truck volumes seen rising mildly since second quarter

Fitch Ratings expects modest volume improvements in 2010 for the U.S. railroad and trucking industries as overall gross domestic product growth may reach 1.8 percent, hampered by high unemployment while consumers dig out of debt.
Rail and truck volumes bottomed out in the second quarter, Fitch said, and have been in a mild but positive growing trend since then. Year-over-year comparisons are expected to be positive in the first quarter of 2010, but overall freight demand is not likely to return to pre-recession levels until some time in 2011, at the earliest, Fitch said.
Fitch Forecasts Modest 2010 Growth | Journal of Commerce

Get Ready For Onslaught of New Rules From OSHA

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has made it clear that it's back in the rulemaking business, with a sling of new labor rules in the pipeline for 2010 that trucking companies ought to be aware of. That's the message that was presented during the American Trucking Associations' recent webinar "OSHA Outlook: What to Expect from OSHA in the Current Political Climate," lead by Larry Halprin, a partner at Keller and Heckman, a law firm focusing on regulatory law, litigation, and business transactions.
Get Ready For Onslaught of New Rules From OSHA - Truckinginfo.com

Analyst: Natural Gas Makes Sense For Trucking Industry

While passenger cars may be well-suited to hybrid and electric technology, natural gas makes more sense for the trucking industry, and would be taking off among fleets, were it not for the economy, according to David Woodburn, a sell-side research analyst for ThinkEquity.
"I think people kind of laugh at the idea of natural gas for vehicles here in the U.S. because it might take decades to install the infrastructure to match that for diesel, let alone gasoline," Woodburn said. "But the passenger market is not really where you'd want to start anyway. The smart thing is to focus on high-volume fuel users that utilize a single or require few refueling stations."
Analyst: Natural Gas Makes Sense For Trucking Industry - Truckinginfo.com

Dow...10,501.05 +29.55 +0.28%

Nasdaq...2,212.10 +21.79 +0.99%

S&P 500...1,114.11 +7.70 +0.70%


YRCW...0.92...+0.03...+3.37%
FDX...90.56...+2.62...+2.98%
ABFS...28.49...+0.75...+2.70%
UPS...59.00...+0.99...+1.71%
LSTR...38.84...+0.59...+1.54%
SAIA...15.56...+0.23...+1.50%
JBHT...34.14...+0.46...+1.37%
KNX...17.99...+0.22...+1.24%
HTLD...15.10...+0.01...+0.07%
VTNC...9.77...-0.07...-0.71%
ODFL...30.10...-0.22...-0.73%
CNW...34.49...-0.39...-1.12%

FDX--
Zacks Earnings Preview: Federal Express, General Mills, Joy Global and Applied Signal - Yahoo! Finance
RPT-Wall St Week Ahead: Stock action hinges on Fed, data | Reuters
A look at the week ahead for Wall Street - Dec. 13, 2009
Transcript: Esther Dyson - Forbes.com
Picks of the Week: Yahoo, FedEx, AOL, Citi - BusinessWeek
Bulls Keep Faith Despite Stocks' Sideways Moves | Innovation Update | Financial Articles & Investing News | TheStreet.com
Monopoly-Like Companies
Comparison-Shop for Your Next Stock
In Play &reg - Yahoo! Finance - The basics of investing.
Analyst Sees LTL Truck Rates Deteriorating | Journal of Commerce

UPS--
Investors Look Beyond Gold, TIPS to Hedge Against Inflation - WSJ.com
Comparison-Shop for Your Next Stock

ODFL--
Trucking Keeps On ... Well, You Know

YRCW--
YRC Worldwide subsidiary faces racial discrimination charges - Kansas City Business Journal:
EEOC Charges YRC With Race Discrimination | Journal of Commerce

Stocks Hit 14-Month High; Dow Tops 10,500

Stocks closed at a 14-month high Monday as news of an energy deal and a lifeline for Dubai helped buoy the market — and investors' appetite for risk.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 29.55, or 0.3 percent, to close at 10,501.05, led by JPMorgan and Merck. The S&P 500 advanced 0.7 percent, led by XTO Energy and Sun Microsystems. the Nasdaq jumped 1 percent.
The CBOE volatility index, widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, dropped to 21.15.
Stocks End Higher as Risk Appetite Returns - CNBC

S&P 1200-1250 Likely in 2010: Chief Investor

“We’re growth investors and we see a lot of great opportunities out there, but the underlying fiscal and monetary policy and the direction we’re taking in the [U.S.] is what makes us nervous,” Calamos told CNBC. “But the valuation levels are quite reasonable here.”
“They’re not going to let this bubble collapse—they’re going to have to continue to feed this monster.”
CNBC Stock Blog — S&P 1200-1250 'Very Possible' by End of 2010: Chief Investor — CNBC.com Investing News - CNBC

Deficits Must Be Curbed or Economy Doomed: Study

A bipartisan group of former lawmakers and budget officials called on Congress and President Barack Obama Monday to commit to reining in trillion-dollar plus budget deficits to avoid dragging down the economy.
Policymakers must take steps next year to enact policies to stabilize the debt at 60 percent of the size of the economy to avoid higher interest rates or crisis in global markets with disastrous implications for the U.S. economy, according to a report by the Peterson-Pew Commission on Budget Reform, a bipartisan group of deficit hawks.
Deficits Must Be Curbed or It's A Disaster For Economy: Study - CNBC

ExxonMobil to Buy XTO Energy in $31 Billion Deal

Exxon Mobil will buy XTO Energy in an all-stock transaction valued at about $30 billion, excluding debt, in a bid that thrusts the oil giant to the forefront of North America's fast-growing natural gas industry.
The deal is valued at $41 billion, including about $10 billion in XTO debt, and is based on the Dec. 11 closing share prices in the two companies.
ExxonMobil to Buy XTO Energy in $31 Billion Deal - CNBC

Quiz: 'Tis the Season, So Test Your Shipping Savvy

The holidays are here-- and that means more people will be sending more packages to more places than any other time of the year.
FedEx says Monday, December 14 will be its busiest day of 2009, with volume exceeding 2008's busiest day by eight percent. And FexEx is not alone. Rival UPS expects a busy holiday period, as does the U.S. Postal Service.
'Tis the Season: Test Your Shipping Savvy - CNBC

FDIC: 17 Million Americans Have No Bank Account

More than one-quarter of American households are unbanked or underbanked and nearly 17 million people have no bank account, according to a survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau.
"The bottomline is that about 7.7 percent of U.S. households have no account in an insured financial institution and an additional 17.9 percent are underbanked, meaning they have an account but they utilize high-cost financial service providers," said Martin Gruenberg, vice chairman of the FDIC, which commissioned the survey.
FDIC Survey: 17 Million Americans Have No Bank Account - CNBC

The 'F' Word

President Obama is the one who still doesn’t get it. In an administration fiendishly adroit at stagecraft, he chose an exclusive interview on “60 Minutes” last night to bash bankers with the “f” word—“fatcats,” he called them—just 16 hours before his scheduled sitdown with the chiefs of J.P. Morgan Chase, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs and other banking giants.
Kneale: President Obama Meeting Bankers and Calling them Fatcats - CNBC

Viva Las Vegas? Keep Watching CityCenter

They said it would never happen. Well, some did, anyway.
Six years after MGM Mirage conceived what may be the biggest gamble in Las Vegas history—a gamble which threatened to bankrupt the company—the crown jewel of its $8.5 billion CityCenter development opens this week: Aria, a 4,000-room gaming resort, starts accepting guests Thursday morning after a Wednesday night fireworks-laden gala.
"For one brief moment, we can just savor this," one MGM Mirage official told me, acknowledging that there is still "much work to be done."
Jane Wells: Viva Las Vegas? Keep Watching CityCenter - CNBC

Ford Eyes Big 2010 as Europe Sales Surge

2010 is setting up as a big year for the Dearborn automaker. The company is ending '09 on a roll it should carry over to next year. The latest sign: Ford of Europe boasted sales of 19 percent last month and will finish the year as the second best selling brand. Its 9.1 percent market share in Europe is its best since 1999.
Add that success to what Ford has done in the U.S., where its market share is up 1 percent to 15.9 percent and its car sales (down 13.2 percent) are holding up second best (Hyundai is up 8.3 percent) among the major brands.
Phil LeBeau's Behind The Wheel: Ford Eyes Big 2010 as Europe Sales Surge - CNBC

Now you are up to speed and informed.
http://www.truckingboards.com/truck...074-questions-comments-stc-newsletter-21.html

 

[imported_River17]

Stocks Snap Streak as Rate Fears, GE Drag

FedEx Office Steps "Out of Office" with New Blog

Site Will Feature Ideas and Tips for Creative Projects

FedEx Office (formerly FedEx Kinko’s), a subsidiary of FedEx Corp., today launched Out of Office, a blog designed to provide unexpected ideas for creative projects at home and on the job. Just in time for the busy holiday season, customers can turn to Out of Office for a fresh perspective on how to use FedEx Office products and services to plan parties, create quick and easy stocking stuffers or homemade gifts, and more. Even past the holidays and throughout the year, Out of Office will serve as a destination for readers who like to see where their imaginations can take them when they’re allowed to be “out of office.” The Out of Office blog is located at Unexpected Ideas for Creative Projects | FedEx Office Out of Office Blog.
“This blog is a wonderful opportunity for the team at FedEx Office to demonstrate the fun, creative and inspiring side of the company and our products and services,” said Jenny Robertson, senior manager, Marketplace Communications and Events for FedEx Office and a regular contributor on Out of Office. “We also want to hear from our customers about ways they have used our services. Our team members and many customers tell us all the time that spiral binding isn’t just for business meetings and a laminating machine has far more uses than protecting a sign, worksheet or business policy. We’re excited to create a place to exchange ideas for creative projects.”
FedEx Office Steps "Out of Office" with New Blog - Yahoo! Finance

Airlines seek to boost market for biofuels

15 airlines seeking to stimulate jet fuel alternatives sign memorandums with biofuel makers

Fifteen airlines and air cargo carriers said Tuesday they've signed memorandums of understandings that could lead to the purchase of hundreds of millions of gallons of fuel made from either coal or camelina, a weed that's a cousin to canola.
The Air Transport Association said airlines from the United States, Canada, Germany and Mexico have signed memorandums with AltAir Fuels LLC of Seattle, which contemplates producing about 75 million gallons of fuel a year from camelina or similar feedstocks, and Rentech Inc. of Los Angeles, which contemplates producing about 250 million gallons a year of fuel derived principally from coal or petroleum coke
Airlines seek to boost market for biofuels - Yahoo! Finance

No sweat for FedEx with peak day shipping

Shipped almost double average volume on Dec. 14

On Dec. 14, FedEx Corp's busiest day this year, when the shipper handled almost double its normal number of packages, the entire system stretched to accommodate the global gift-giving frenzy that culminates nearly two weeks later around Christmas.
The night of Dec. 14 the Memphis facility took in 1.7 million packages and spat them out again 3 1/2 hours later. Worldwide, FedEx shipped about 13 million packages on Dec. 14, compared with an average of 7.5 million.
FEATURE-No sweat for FedEx with peak day shipping | Reuters

Busiest Shipping Week Underway for UPS

The Build-Up to 250 Deliveries A Second

UPS now has entered the busiest “peak week” of the year, culminating next Monday (Dec. 21) with a Peak Day that will see more than 22 million packages delivered worldwide on that one day alone.
That’s more than 250 deliveries every second.
The nimbleness of the UPS global package delivery network enables the company to easily adapt to these annual spikes in package volume. Consider these facts and figures:
Busiest Shipping Week Underway for UPS - Yahoo! Finance

Menlo Worldwide Logistics' Mexico City Multi-Client Facility Adds New Warehousing Customer

Company Providing Inventory Management for Crane Worldwide Logistics


Menlo Worldwide Logistics, the global logistics subsidiary of Con-way Inc., today announced that it has launched a warehouse and inventory management solution for a new customer at its Mexico City multi-client facility. Menlo is managing more than 200 SKUs of premier writing products for a customer of Crane Worldwide Logistics, a global freight forwarder based in Houston. The operation occupies roughly 8,000 square feet of Menlo's 45,000-square-foot warehouse in Mexico City.
"Our customer needed a stable and reliable company offering a warehouse solution with the highest levels of security, flexibility and inventory control, and Menlo has provided exactly that," said Daniel Estrada, Mexico country manager, Crane Worldwide Logistics. "Menlo's capacity, infrastructure and experience in the market made it the ideal 3PL to meet the needs of our customer, and we've been very happy with the results of choosing Menlo."
Menlo Worldwide Logistics' Mexico City Multi-Client Facility Adds New Warehousing Customer - Yahoo! Finance

Deadline rolls around again for YRC Worldwide’s $537M debt-for-equity swap

It’s deadline time again for YRC Worldwide Inc., which Tuesday night faces a twice-delayed cutoff point for a final step in its plan to swerve around bankruptcy.
The Overland Park-based trucking giant (Nasdaq: YRCW) has been trying to persuade a required 95 percent of bondholders to swap $537 million in debt for the equivalent of 95 percent of its common shares. It bumped back the previous Dec. 8 deadline with 72 percent of bondholders signing on to the deal.
But it needs bondholders to agree to this deal, which would wipe out about a third of the company’s debt. If the effort fails, the company could file bankruptcy, and YRC has told bondholders that such a scenario probably would leave them empty-handed. Still, the company has said some bondholders have challenged the plans.
Deadline rolls around again for YRC Worldwide’s $537M debt-for-equity swap - Kansas City Business Journal:

Volvo Group Truck Sales Drop 37 Percent

November sales show 'no clear signs of sustainable recovery,' Volvo says

Worldwide sales of Volvo Group trucks declined 37 percent year-over-year in November and were down 7 percent from October, the company said.
The Swedish manufacturer sold 12,175 trucks in November, compared with 19,326 in the same month last year.
Heavy-truck sales bore the brunt of the decline, dropping 49 percent to 7,697 worldwide. At 2,310 units, medium-duty truck sales were up 12 percent, and light-duty truck sales rose 2 percent year-over-year to 2,169.
In North America, where Volvo manufactures and sells Volvo and Mack Trucks, sales dropped 35 percent from a year ago to 1,617 vehicles.
Volvo Group Truck Sales Drop 37 Percent | Journal of Commerce

Dow...10,452.00 -49.05 -0.47%

Nasdaq...2,201.05 -11.05 -0.50%

S&P 500...1,107.93 -6.18 -0.55%


FDX...91.52...+0.96...+1.06%
UPS...59.28...+0.29...+0.49%
LSTR...38.84...+0.00...+0.00%
VTNC...9.79...-0.00...-0.05%
ODFL...29.99...-0.11...-0.37%
HTLD...14.99...-0.11...-0.73%
KNX...17.80...-0.19...-1.06%
ABFS...28.17...-0.32...-1.12%
JBHT...33.74...-0.40...-1.17%
CNW...33.64...-0.86...-2.49%
SAIA...15.01...-0.55...-3.53%
YRCW...0.83...-0.09...-10.00%

FDX--
FedEx Office Steps "Out of Office" with New Blog - Yahoo! Finance
Airlines seek to boost market for biofuels - Yahoo! Finance
Power Point: Mobile Internet races ahead - Postcards
FEATURE-No sweat for FedEx with peak day shipping | Reuters

UPS--
CEOs: Health Reform Won't Buy Relief - BusinessWeek
UPS Leads Industry with App for BlackBerry - Yahoo! Finance
UPS offers BlackBerry app - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
Busiest Shipping Week Underway for UPS - Yahoo! Finance
Holiday rush begins for UPS system - Business First of Louisville:

CNW--
Menlo Worldwide Logistics' Mexico City Multi-Client Facility Adds New Warehousing Customer - Yahoo! Finance

ABFS--
Arkansas Best Corporation Names New Officers - Yahoo! Finance
Summary of ARKANSAS BEST CORP /DE/ - Yahoo! Finance
Arkansas Best promotes 3 execs - Yahoo! Finance

YRCW--
YRC Debt-Equity Swap Faces Deadline | Journal of Commerce
Deadline rolls around again for YRC Worldwide’s $537M debt-for-equity swap - Kansas City Business Journal:

Stocks Snap Streak as Rate Fears, GE Drag

Stocks snapped a four-day winning streak Tuesday as an inflation report stoked rate fears and GE delivered a weak outlook.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 49.05, or 0.5 percent, to close at 10,452. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq also lost about half a percent.
Economists will be watching closely to see if the Fed keeps its pledge to keep rates low for an "extended period" — or if this inflation report is a game-changer that causes policy makers to temper that language.
Stocks Snap Streak as Rate Fears, GE Drag - CNBC

Losing Job Devastates Lives Of Many Americans

More than half of the nation’s unemployed workers have borrowed money from friends or relatives since losing their jobs. An equal number have cut back on doctor visits or medical treatments because they are out of work.
Joblessness has wreaked financial and emotional havoc on the lives of many of those out of work, according to a New York Times/CBS News poll of unemployed adults, causing major life changes, mental health issues and trouble maintaining even basic necessities.
Poll Reveals Trauma of Joblessness in U.S. - CNBC

Fewer Home Buyers Taking a Chance on Foreclosures

US home buyers are less willing to buy foreclosed properties than they were six months ago, citing risks like hidden costs, but demand could grow because of the government's expanded tax credit, a survey showed on Tuesday.
A continued drop in demand for the glut of foreclosed properties would add a fresh layer of pain to a housing market just emerging from a three-year nosedive.
Foreclosure Buyer Demand Dips as Supply Builds - CNBC

Investors Watch for Hints on When Fed Will Raise Rates

The Federal Reserve is expected to leave interest rates at a record low this week. The big question is whether Chairman Ben Bernanke and his colleagues will hint about when they will reverse course and start boosting rates.
Plans for reeling in the unprecedented amount of money the Fed has plowed into the economy to bolster the recovery are likely to dominate its discussions Tuesday and Wednesday.
Investors Watching for Hints on When Fed Will Raise Rates - CNBC

Boeing 787 Flight Ends Because of Bad Weather

Deteriorating weather cut short Boeing's flight of its new 787 jetliner. The plane is back on the ground following its maiden test flight after a two year delay.
The plane took off about 10:30 a.m. from Paine Field near the factory in Everett. The 787 jetliner finally took to the skies Tuesday, more than two years later than the company had planned.
Before landing at Seattle's Boeing Field later, the two-member crew planned to perform a variety of basic tests and systems checks, said Boeing Commercial Airplanes spokesman Jim Proulx. "They will essentially make sure that the airplane under normal circumstances flies the way it's supposed to fly," he said.
Boeing 787 Flight Ends Because of Bad Weather - CNBC

Wells Fargo's Controversial Opening

Wells Fargo successfully launched its $10.6B common equity offering to repay TARP money, but not without some controversy, not of their own making.
The WFC opening was held up for 50 minutes--not due to the fault of the NYSE, but the book runner, Goldman Sachs, held up the open to allocate the 425 m shares. Floor traders, who have no love for Goldman, were irate that it took so long.
Wells Fargo's Controversial Opening - CNBC

Now you are up to speed and informed.
http://www.truckingboards.com/truck...074-questions-comments-stc-newsletter-21.html

 

[imported_River17]

Dow Erases Gains in Post-Fed Languor

•FedEx to report 2Q earnings Thursday

FedEx expected to show continued -- but slow -- growth in its fiscal 2nd-quarter results

FedEx reports earnings for its fiscal second quarter on Thursday. The following is a summary of key developments and analyst opinion related to the period.
FedEx is expected to report growth in international priority and ground shipments in the quarter ended Nov. 30, but shipping is still weak compared with last year.
STOCK PERFORMANCE: The stock gained 23 percent in the fiscal second quarter. Shares have surged 42 percent so far this year.
Earnings Preview: FedEx - Yahoo! Finance

Menlo Worldwide Logistics Wins European Hi-Tech Logistics Award for Second Year

Menlo Worldwide Logistics, the global logistics subsidiary of Con-way Inc., has received the Best 3PL for Hi-Tech & Electronics Award at the annual eyefortransport European 3PL Awards. Menlo received the award, which was co-sponsored by the trade development agency, Flanders Investment and Trade, for the second consecutive year. It was presented during the European 3PL Summit in Brussels.
Gunn added, "I am proud of the Menlo team's efforts in maintaining a high standard of service, the consistency of which is validated by the receipt of this award for a second year. I believe that the company's collective commitment to the lean concept as applied to logistics will continue to help achieve this level of consistency in the future."
Menlo Worldwide Logistics Wins European Hi-Tech Logistics Award for Second Year - Yahoo! Finance

YRC Worldwide Extends Debt Swap Deadline Again

Company adds only a few bondholders as it adds two days to offer

YRC Worldwide, trying to extend the clock on its bid to avoid bankruptcy protection, pushed back its deadline for a debt-for-equity swap by another two days on Wednesday.
The trucking giant set a new deadline of 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17 for bondholders to accept the offer, which is aimed at clearing away some of the company’s large debt.
YRC said in a statement 75 percent of note holders had accepted the offer by the deadline at the end of the day Tuesday, up only slightly from 72 percent who had accepted the offer by the previous deadline a week ago but still far short of the 95 percent acceptance the company needs.
The company could lower that threshold with the approval of two-thirds of its bank lenders.
YRC Worldwide Extends Debt Swap Deadline Again | Journal of Commerce

Banks Extend YRC Worldwide's Credit Line

Credit extension gives troubled carrier until Jan. 12 to sort debt-equity swap

YRC Worldwide's banking group came to the troubled carrier's rescue today, extending its credit agreement until Jan. 12 and effectively giving YRC another month to complete a debt-for-equity swap with bondholders key to its plans to avoid bankruptcy.
In their thirteenth amendment to the credit agreement since 2007, the banking group agreed to continue to let YRC draw up to $50 million at any time from its $950 million revolver reserve block, and it suspends a minimum cash requirement through Jan. 11.
That pushes off concern over a near-term bankruptcy filing by the carrier, which has lost more than $2 billion over the past two and a half years. The company detailed the credit amendment in a Dec. 16 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Banks Extend YRC Worldwide's Credit Line | Journal of Commerce

Schneider Completes 3-Year Container Conversion

Domestic intermodal no longer includes trailers on railcars

Schneider National, one of the largest U.S. truckload carriers, has wrapped up a three-year program that rapidly shifted its intermodal equipment from a mix of trailers and containers to an all-container fleet.
That meant shifting 12,000 pieces of equipment in just three years, so that Schneider’s orange trailers are now used just for its over-the-road trucking service and will no longer ride on rail flatcars, while its domestic-focused intermodal operation relies heavily on the big 53-foot containers that increasingly dominate North American rail-truck shipments.
“Current economic realities require that shippers scrutinize every aspect of their supply chain in search of energy efficiencies and cost savings,” he said. “Our 53-foot container-focused service makes it even easier for customers to leverage Schneider Intermodal’s truck-like service.”
Schneider Completes 3-Year Container Conversion | Journal of Commerce

Senate Bill Would Tighten Contractor Law

Kerry, co-sponsors take aim at ‘Safe Harbor’ in tax code, misclassification of workers

Sen. John F. Kerry, D-Mass., introduced legislation this week that would toughen standards for employers in transportation and other industries that use independent contractors.
The bill introduced Dec. 15 is aimed at tightening a provision in the tax law that businesses argue simplifies the tax code but critics say allows employers to misclassify workers and avoid payments of benefits and unemployment taxes.
Kerry is targeting Section 530 of the Revenue Act of 1978, known as the “Safe Harbor” provision. The provision allows employers to classify workers as contractors for employment tax purposes without undergoing a common law test of their status, unless the employer’s classification has no “reasonable basis” or fails certain requirements.
Senate Bill Would Tighten Contractor Law | Journal of Commerce

Smith Throws Switch on All-Electric Trucks

Kansas City-based Smith Electric Vehicles is making the first deliveries of its Newton Class 5 through 7 all-electric truck. Customers for the first six trucks include the Frito-Lay division of PepsiCo, Staples, AT&T, Coca-Cola, PG&E and Kansas City Power and Light, who are all heavily committed to sustainability and low emissions.
The Smith Newton is a zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) and fully compliant with California ZEV regulation.
Smith Throws Switch on All-Electric Trucks - Truckinginfo.com

Dow...10,441.12 -10.88 -0.10%

Nasdaq...2,206.91 +5.86 +0.27%

S&P 500...1,109.18 +1.25 +0.11%


YRCW...1.01...+0.18...+21.85%
VTNC...9.86...+0.07...+0.72%
JBHT...33.93...+0.19...+0.56%
LSTR...39.03...+0.19...+0.49%
HTLD...15.03...+0.04...+0.27%
CNW...33.72...+0.02...+0.06%
KNX...17.79...+0.01...+0.06%
ABFS...28.15...-0.01...-0.04%
UPS...59.03...-0.22...-0.37%
ODFL...29.75...-0.24...-0.80%
FDX...89.99...-1.37...-1.50%
SAIA...14.06...-0.95...-6.33%

FDX--
Halftime Report: Trading In The Wake Of The Fed Statement - CNBC
RPT-FEATURE-No sweat for FedEx with peak day shipping | Reuters
REFILE-Southwest Air tops best U.S. places to work-survey | Reuters
Stop Juggling Your Retirement Investments
FedEx, RIM: Tomorrow's Headliners | Innovation Update | Financial Articles & Investing News | TheStreet.com
Earnings Preview: FedEx - Yahoo! Finance
TradingMarkets 7 Stocks You Need to Know for Thursday - Yahoo! Finance
FedEx to report 2Q earnings Thursday - Pittsburgh Business Times:
Earnings Roundup: Dec. 17 - CNBC
Stocks in focus for Thursday - MarketWatch
Pepsi's Drinks Will Sit Out the Super Bowl - WSJ.com
Senate Bill Would Tighten Contractor Law | Journal of Commerce

UPS--
Stocks That Are Better Than Gold
3 Stocks I Saw on TV
In Play &reg - Yahoo! Finance - The basics of investing.
Earnings Preview: FedEx - Yahoo! Finance

CNW--
Menlo Worldwide Logistics Wins European Hi-Tech Logistics Award for Second Year - Yahoo! Finance

YRCW--
YRC Worldwide Extends Debt-for-Equity Offers - Yahoo! Finance
YRC Worldwide Extends Debt Swap Deadline Again | Journal of Commerce

Dow Erases Gains in Post-Fed Languor

The Dow erased all of its gains Wednesday after the Fed offered no surprises in its latest statement, backing its pledge to keep rate slow for an "extended period."
The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended flat, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posted modest gains.
The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady, as expected. And, while it noted improvements in the economy — specifically in employment and housing — it renewed its "extended period" pledge.
Dow Erases Gains in Post-Fed Languor - CNBC

Poll: Americans Most Pessimistic Since January

Americans are the most pessimistic they've been since the beginning of this year, when the US was mired in a deep recession, while confidence in President Obama and Congress is at the lowest level of 2009, according to the latest NBC/Wall Street Journal poll.
Of those surveyed by telephone during the past weekend, 55 percent feel the nation is headed in the wrong direction, compared with 33 percent who felt the US was headed in the right direction. That's the worst showing since January, during the height of the economic crisis, when 59 percent felt that nation was on the wrong track and 26 percent felt it was on the right track.
Americans Most Pessimistic They've Been Since January: Poll - CNBC

Fed Keeps Interest Rates Low as Economy Recovers

The Federal Reserve, as expected, decided to hold interest rates at a record low for an "extended period" to keep the economic recovery going and drive down double-digit unemployment.
In a more upbeat assessment, the Fed said the economy has "continued to pick up" and that "deterioration in the labor market is abating," a nod to the recent slowdown in the pace of layoffs. Still, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and his colleagues gave no signal that they're considering raising rates anytime soon.
Fed Keeps Interest Rates Low As US Economy Recovers - CNBC

Home Equity Lost: A Cab Driver's Las Vegas Story

After a long day of live shots in Las Vegas, reporting various incredible stories of builders, buyers and investors, I got into a cab to the airport... only to hear yet another story from housing's front lines.
My affable cab driver was from Greece, by way of France, and had come to Las Vegas about five years ago with his wife and sons. He bought a condo near the peak of the market in 2005 for $160,000.
Home Equity Lost: A Cab Driver's Las Vegas Story - CNBC

US Economy to Slow Next Year: Abby Joseph Cohen

Although the economy is growing by as much as 4.5 percent in the current quarter, it’s expected to slow in 2010, well-known market analyst Abby Joseph Cohen told CNBC.
“For policymakers, let’s keep in mind this is not just a cyclical employment problem related to the severity of the recession but also a structural one,” she said. “Beneath the surface, we were seeing problems in terms of a hallowing out of certain portions of our labor market for the last ten years.”
GDP To Slow in 2010: Abby Joseph Cohen - CNBC

Is The Electric Car Push Oversold?

The comments this week by Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen about President Obama's administration pushing electric cars is one that will no doubt get the attention of many in the auto industry. The message essentially comes down to this: While Washington may be in love with the idea of electric cars, there's plenty more that can be done with cars powered by diesel.
With that in mind, I understand De Nysschen saying America would be better served pushing diesel technology. Especially with the relatively small percentage of people in the U.S. driving diesel powered cars and trucks. And since Audi is a leader in diesel technology, De Nysschen fully admits his company would benefit if the U.S. Finally embraced diesel.
Is The Electric Car Push Oversold? - CNBC

More Data Confirm that Bernanke Is Wrong

The Fed is fighting the wrong battle. Helicopter Ben Bernanke still believes that deflation is an economic threat. As a result, today's FOMC meeting is not likely to produce any shift in the key phrase “extended period,” which has been used by the central bank to signal a continuation of its free-money, zero-interest-rate policy.
The economic data show that Bernanke is wrong. Tuesday’s producer price report for business wholesale inflation unexpectedly jumped 1.8 percent. That leaves a 6.3 percent annual rate over the past three months and a 2.4 percent rate over the past year.
More Data Confirm that Bernanke Is Wrong - CNBC

Now you are up to speed and informed.
http://www.truckingboards.com/truck...074-questions-comments-stc-newsletter-21.html

 

[imported_River17]

Dow Sheds Over 1% as Financials Skid

FedEx Sees ‘Positive Momentum’ in Global Economy

Shipping demand grows across domestic, international service even as profit falls 30 percent

FedEx said Thursday its net profit fell 30 percent in the quarter ending Nov. 30, but “positive momentum in the global economy” is pushing growing demand across all its major operations.
The expedited shipping giant said profits will grow in coming months, estimating the bottom line in the current fiscal quarter could be more than double the profit a year ago.
Based on what it called “modestly improving economic conditions,” FedEx said it is restoring some of the company employee benefits it halted early in 2009, including merit pay increases and 50 percent of the pension contributions it had suspended.
“While there is some uncertainty regarding the sustainability of current demand trends after our peak shipping season, we expect our strong operating leverage to provide improved year-over-year profitability in the second half of our fiscal year,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Alan B. Graf Jr.
FedEx Sees ‘Positive Momentum’ in Global Economy | Journal of Commerce

YRC Lowers Barrier to Debt-Equity Swap

Carrier drops participation threshold to 70 percent for some bonds, extends deadline again

YRC Worldwide is lowering the bar for its debt-for-equity swap with bondholders, dropping the participation requirement for certain bondholders from 95 percent to 70 percent for notes that come due in April and 85 percent for notes due in 2023.
The change to the tender offer will have to be approved by two-thirds of YRC's lenders, led by J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. Yesterday, the banking group extended the company's credit agreement until Jan. 12, giving it more time to complete the exchange.
YRC also extended the deadline for the exchange from midnight tonight until Dec. 23. To date, 75 percent of the holders of YRC and USF notes have agreed to the exchange, which would swap 95 percent of the company's stock for $536.8 million in debt.
YRC Lowers Barrier to Debt-Equity Swap | Journal of Commerce

Teamsters Say Goldman Sachs Trades on YRC Bankruptcy

Hoffa attacks derivatives seen hampering key debt-for-equity swap with bondholders

Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa accused investment bank Goldman Sachs of profiting from YRC Worldwide's woes by creating a market for derivatives that would profit from the trucking giant's bankrupty.
In a Dec. 16 letter to Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein, Hoffa called such trading "unconscionable," according to a story published by the Bloomberg news service reported. The derivatives in question are credit-default swaps on YRC and USF bonds.
Goldman Sachs denied the accusation. “Goldman does not have a position in the company, nor are we making markets in the company’s bonds or credit-default swaps,” a spokesman for the bank told Bloomberg.
Teamsters Say Goldman Sachs Trades on YRC Bankruptcy | Journal of Commerce

YRC Warns of Low Liquidity

Debt-for-equity swap must be done Dec. 31, company says, to avoid 'unsustainable' position

YRC Worldwide sounded a warning over its debt-for-equity swap today as it raced to avoid a bankruptcy filing, saying it is critical that the company complete the deal before Dec. 31.
Without access to a $106 million pool of capital dependent on the exchange, "the company's liquidity position would become "unsustainable" when $19 million in interest and fees comes due Dec 31.
That probably would force the company to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection from its creditors as it attempts to reorganize, financial analysts said.
The $19 million in interest and fees would be deferred if the swap is approved. The deadline for the exchange today was moved to Dec. 23.
Some bondholders are backing away from the deal. On Dec. 15, YRC Worldwide said 75 percent of its bondholders had tendered notes, but today the figure fell to 57 percent.
YRC Warns of Low Liquidity | Journal of Commerce

New Truck Orders Drop 50 Percent

Sales dive from October to November as 2010 pre-buying ends

Truck sales ran out of gas in November, dropping 50 percent from October, when new truck orders were jacked up by a federal emissions mandate, ACT Research said.
October saw a heavy period of "pre-buying," as companies purchased 2009 model trucks before new, more expensive 2010 models featuring new emissions technology roll out.
"October's surge in heavy-duty truck orders had little staying power, as the strong orders filled most of the remaining pre-EPA 2010 emission mandate build slots," said Kenny Vieth, a partner and senior analyst at ACT. The Environmental Protection Agency's emissions requirements are said to add about $10,000 to the cost of a heavy truck.
New Truck Orders Drop 50 Percent | Journal of Commerce

Roadability Rollout Hits Snags Nationwide

Truckers ‘very disappointed’ at implementation of FMCSA rules

Thursday's implementation of the government's roadability regulations for intermodal equipment is causing headaches for motor carriers and equipment providers at marine and rail terminals across the country.
"We are very disappointed at the rolling out of this program," said Curtis Whalen, executive director of the American Trucking Associations' intermodal conference.
Drayage operators that call at marine terminals and intermodal rail yards are reporting delays in the interchange of chassis. Truck lines were forming at coastal facility gates and at inland locations, Whalen said. "There's a great deal of confusion," he said.
Roadability Rollout Hits Snags Nationwide | Journal of Commerce

Lautenberg Withdraws EOBR Amendment

U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., today withdrew an amendment that would have mandated the use of electronic on-board recorders on all commercial vehicles.
Lautenberg had planned to add the amendment to a bus safety bill during a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee mark-up the bill. However, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, backer of the motorcoach safety bill, does not want to complicate the bus safety bill with truck safety issues.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association obtained a copy of the amendment and was planning to launch a lobbying effort to get the committee to reject the amendment language.
Lautenberg Withdraws EOBR Amendment - Truckinginfo.com

Dow...10,308.26 -132.86 -1.27%

Nasdaq...2,180.05 -26.86 -1.22%

S&P 500...1,096.08 -13.10 -1.18%


ODFL...32.77...+3.02...+10.15%
VTNC...10.85...+0.96...+9.76%
ABFS...30.84...+2.69...+9.56%
CNW...36.33...+2.65...+7.87%
SAIA...14.97...+0.91...+6.47%
KNX...18.18...+0.39...+2.19%
LSTR...39.19...+0.16...+0.41%
HTLD...15.04...+0.01...+0.07%
JBHT...33.68...-0.25...-0.74%
UPS...58.26...-0.74...-1.25%
FDX...84.49...-5.46...-6.07%
YRCW...0.94...-0.07...-6.83%

FDX--
FedEx Sees ‘Positive Momentum’ in Global Economy | Journal of Commerce
Earnings Minute: FDX Falls on Q3 View; General Mills Up on Forecast Hike; Rite-Aid, Pier 1 Shine - Stocks To Watch Today - Barrons.com
CNBC Stock Blog — Markets to Continue 'Square-Root' Recovery: Strategist — CNBC.com Investing News - CNBC
Thursday Outlook: It's Going to Be a Tricky Day -- Seeking Alpha
Afternoon Movers: China Tests Rio’s Mettle; Oshkosh Jumps on Contract; Dollar Up on Risk Worries - Stocks To Watch Today - Barrons.com
FedEx: Still No Clarity on End Demand - MarketBeat - WSJ
Today's Three Thoughts: FedEx, Joblessness, and the Lack of a Bank Rally -- Seeking Alpha
Markets Reel As Risk Appetite Reverses - Forbes.com
Give Traders A Reason and They'll Protect Their Profits - Yahoo! Finance
CNNMoney.com Market Report - Dec. 17, 2009
FedEx's quarterly outlook gets hit by soft pricing - MarketWatch
UPDATE 5-FedEx forecast disappoints, shares close down | Reuters
Citigroup, Rite Aid, FedEx are big movers - Yahoo! Finance
US STOCKS-Wall St sinks as dollar jumps, FedEx loses altitude | Reuters
Dow Takes Triple-Digit Loss; Dollar Rises | The Market Story | Financial Articles & Investing News | TheStreet.com
Dow Sheds Over 1% as Financials Skid - CNBC
Dow Takes Triple-Digit Loss; Dollar Rises | The Market Story | Financial Articles & Investing News | TheStreet.com
Stocks fall as dollar gains, FedEx disappoints - Yahoo! Finance
How the major stock indexes fared on Thursday - Yahoo! Finance
CNBC Stock Blog — Stock Prices Signal Caution on Earnings: Transports Analyst — CNBC.com Market News - CNBC
IBD's Top 10 - Thursday - Yahoo! Finance
Pepsi not advertising in Super Bowl next year - Yahoo! Finance
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/18/business/18fedex.html?partner=yahoofinance
Rate, Greece Fears Hurt Stocks; Dow Industrials Decline 133 Points - WSJ.com

UPS--
Paychex Is Still Waiting for the Recovery (PAYX)
Buy These Stocks Before the Trend Reverses
FedEx brings out the humbugs MarketWatch First Take - MarketWatch
FedEx weighs on U.S. stocks as transports retreat - MarketWatch
FedEx sees stumbling blocks before recovery - Yahoo! Finance
FedEx weighs on U.S. stocks as transports retreat - MarketWatch

CNW--
Con-way Truckload Named a 2009 Top 100 Motor Carrier by Inbound Logistics - Yahoo! Finance

YRCW--
YRC Lowers Barrier to Debt-Equity Swap | Journal of Commerce
Teamsters Say Goldman Sachs Trades on YRC Bankruptcy | Journal of Commerce
YRC Warns of Low Liquidity | Journal of Commerce
YRC Worldwide Revises Debt-for-Equity Offers - Yahoo! Finance
YRC Worldwide lowers participation target in debt-for-equity swap - Kansas City Business Journal:
YRC Worldwide Slides on Increased Volume | Transportation | Financial Articles & Investing News | TheStreet.com
YRC revises exchange offer, warns on liquidity - Yahoo! Finance
YRC Worldwide: Debt-for-equity swap must conclude by year’s end - Kansas City Business Journal:
Trucker YRC extends exchange deadline for 3rd time - Yahoo! Finance
Teamsters plead YRC’s case to reticent bondholders - Kansas City Business Journal:
UPDATE 3-YRC revises exchange offer, warns on liquidity | Reuters
Summary of YRC WORLDWIDE INC - Yahoo! Finance

Dow Sheds Over 1% as Financials Skid

Stocks declined Thursday as the dollar gained, curbing investors' appetite for riskier trades. Financials were among the hardest hit.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed more than 132.86, or 1.3 percent, to close at 10,308.26. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq each dropped 1.2 percent.
The dollar hit a three-month high versus the euro and was generally stronger across the board following slightly optimistic assessment of the U.S. economy from the Fed. Plus, worries about Greece dragged on the euro.
Dow Sheds Over 1% as Financials Skid - CNBC

Art Cashin on Today's Market

Art Cashin, head of floor operations at UBS, has the buzz from the NYSE.
Video - CNBC.com

Meredith Whitney Cuts Outlook on 2 Financials

Meredith Whitney Advisory Group cut its earnings estimates for Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley Thursday.
For 2009, Whitney Advisory predicts Goldman earnings of $19.57, down from a previous estimate of $19.95. For 2010 it now forecasts a profit of $16.75 a share, down from its earlier estimate of $21.73 a share. And for 2011 the company lowered its estimate to $20.60 a share, down from $24.04 a share.
CNBC Stock Blog — Whitney Cuts Goldman, Morgan Profit Estimates - CNBC

Renown Bear Makes Bullish Predictions For 2010

Widely followed strategist Richard Bernstein is making some surprising predictions for 2010. What should you know?
- Corporate profits are likely to explode to the upside during 2010. Trailing four-quarter S&P 500 reported earnings growth could exceed 100%. Investors still seem to be under-estimating the operating and financial leverage that is built into corporate profits.
Renown Bear Makes Bullish Predictions For 2010 - CNBC

A123 Charges Up on China Deal

For A123 investors, it's been a nice two-day run. The stock is surging today after a 5% gain on Wednesday, as the U.S. battery maker announces a joint venture in China with SAIC Motor Corp. It's the kind of deal that will position Massachusetts based A123 to profit as China moves toward rolling out electric cars in the years to come. A123 will own 49% of the company, while SAIC owns 51%. When I talked with CEO Dave Vieau told me this morning from Tokyo, Japan it was clear this is a man optimistic about the future of electric cars.
A123 Charges Up on China Deal - CNBC

Stock Prices Signal Caution on Earnings: Transports Analyst

Shipping company and economic barometer FedEx reported quarterly earnings in line with earlier guidance on Thursday, but its projections for profit in the current quarter were well below expectations. Arthur Hatfield, transportation analyst at Morgan Keegan, shared his reactions to the firm’s earnings.
“What the company is saying is that they’re a little bit concerned about what January and February may look like…so they’re being a little bit conservative with regards to how their outlook is for the back half of their fiscal year.”
CNBC Stock Blog — Stock Prices Signal Caution on Earnings: Transports Analyst — CNBC.com Market News - CNBC

Should Helicopter Ben Withdraw His Name?

Helicopter Ben Bernanke passed the Senate Banking Committee vote on his reconfirmation.
But he passed by 16 to 7. Most of the Republicans voted against Bernanke, as did one Democrat, Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon.
The reconfirmation now goes to the floor of the Senate, where it’s going to be held up for a while as Sen. Jim DeMint and others insist that the GAO Fed audit be voted on before Bernanke’s final vote.
Should Helicopter Ben Withdraw His Name? - CNBC

Now you are up to speed and informed.
http://www.truckingboards.com/truck...074-questions-comments-stc-newsletter-21.html

 

[imported_River17]

Techs Rally; Volume Soars to New High

WEEKEND EDITION

FedEx Reports Jump in Package Deliveries

FedEx (FDX) reported Thursday that it shipped 1,000,000 more packages than expected on Monday -- which it anticipates will be its peak shipping day this holiday. The firm reported that this year's busiest day is up 17% from its busiest day last year.
"Global economic conditions are improving," Smith said in an investor conference call Thursday. Executives went on to cite their outlook for "modestly improving economic conditions." Because of those improvements, FedEx said it will restart merit salary increases and resume its retirement-plan matches for those employees who participate in their 401(k) program. Both policies had been put on hold.
FedEx Reports Jump in Package Deliveries -- Seeking Alpha

YRCW Worthless, Credit Suisse Says

Credit Suisse analyst Christopher Ceraso this morning writes of trucker YRC Global (YRCW) that the question is less whether the firm goes bankrupt but how.
It is not a foregone conclusion that YRC’s assets will be liquidated if it does goes bankrupt, writes Ceraso. In fact, the company’s likely to keep its assets and keep operating right through a bankruptcy filing.
It’s most likely YRC fails to consummate its proposed debt-for-equity swap, he believes. However, if two-thirds of the company’s secured lenders approve the exchange, and even a modest number of unsecured creditors buy in, a pre-packaged bankruptcy could be rushed through the courts. In the first scenario, YRC’s offer fails, the stock is worth at most 30 cents; in the case the swap succeeds, the stock is worth zero.
YRCW Worthless, Credit Suisse Says - Stocks To Watch Today - Barrons.com

FedEx: A View After a Bummer Report

FedEx has suffered a rapid decompression, with the stock down more than 6% after a bleak quarter. The package-shipper had enjoyed a nice climb in the past couple of months, especially after its busiest day in history, Dec. 14, when it moved an estimated 13 million pieces as crews fueled by stale coffee and box dinners made Memphis the busiest airport in the world
Fed Ex is a solid company. How many other companies become a verb and part of the English language? Ever hear someone say "Hey, can you post office me those documents?"
A big point to remember about the purple and orange is that they have a large international presence. I've seen the FedEx logo in places that I'm not at liberty to say. With the global economy picking up some speed, FedEx is sure to benefit. But if the U.S. cold continues to linger, it may also spread to our buddies, impacting FedEx as well.
FedEx: A View After a Bummer Report | Options/Futures | Financial Articles & Investing News | TheStreet.com

Con-way Truckload Named a 2009 Top 100 Motor Carrier by Inbound Logistics

Company Recognized for High Levels of Service and Customer Satisfaction

Con-way Truckload, a full truckload carrier and subsidiary of Con-way Inc., today announced that it has been named one of Inbound Logistics' Top 100 Motor Carriers. Sister company Con-way Freight was also included on the list, which was published in a recent issue of Inbound Logistics.
"Given the challenging economy, it is more important than ever for motor freight carriers to be proactive in finding solutions for their customers," said Felecia Stratton, editor, Inbound Logistics. "Con-way Truckload has proven to be an intuitive resource for shippers by implementing new service offerings and taking the lead to offer suggestions on cost-cutting measures. This, combined with the company's consistently high level of customer service, earned them a place on Inbound Logistics' 2009 Top 100 Motor Carrier list."
Con-way Truckload Named a 2009 Top 100 Motor Carrier by Inbound Logistics - Yahoo! Finance

Big Winter Storm Moves Toward Mid-Atlantic, Northeast

Much of the mid-Atlantic region was put under a winter storm warning Friday as officials predicted up that up to 18 inches of snow would fall in some places this weekend.
The National Weather Service predicted that snow would affect travel along Interstates 81 and 95 in the mid-Atlantic and into the Northeast, Bloomberg reported.
Big Winter Storm Moves Toward Mid-Atlantic, Northeast | Transport Topics Online | Trucking, Freight Transportation and Logistics News

Extra Zzzzs Lead to Healthier Eating Habits Among Drivers, Study Finds

Truck drivers have one of the toughest jobs around. "Motor freight workers often work long hours, and a variety of factors influence their sleep duration and quality: irregular shifts, mealtimes, and sleep patterns; unsatisfactory sleeping accommodations; and anxiety over traffic, schedules, and economic pressures," according to a study conducted by Dr. Orfeu M. Buxton and colleagues at Harvard Medical School.
The rigors of the job make drivers even more susceptible to stress, which can lead to health issues and fatigue. And that's why it's increasingly important for truck drivers to get adequate sleep, something found to be linked to healthier eating habits, Buxton's research found.
Extra Zzzzs Lead to Healthier Eating Habits Among Drivers, Study Finds - Truckinginfo.com

Study Ranks the Best and Worst of State Highway Systems

North Dakota took the title of best performing highway systems in America for the ninth year in a row, while Alaska had the worst-performing, least cost-effective highway system in the nation, according to an annual Reason Foundation study that measures each state's road conditions and expenditures.
Across the country, over half of all state-owned highways are congested, and 25 percent of bridges are deficient or functionally obsolete. Rhode Island and Massachusetts have the worst bridges, with over half needing repair and improvement.
Study Ranks the Best and Worst of State Highway Systems - Truckinginfo.com

Dow...10,328.89 +20.63 +0.20%

Nasdaq...2,211.69 +31.64 +1.45%

S&P 500...1,102.47 +6.39 +0.58%

Oil...73.05 +0.39 +0.54%

Gold...1,110.80 +5.90 +0.53%


CNW...37.46...+1.18...+3.25%
ABFS...31.27...+0.43...+1.39%
VTNC...11.00...+0.15...+1.38%
HTLD...15.18...+0.14...+0.93%
FDX...84.91...+0.44...+0.52%
KNX...18.23...+0.06...+0.33%
UPS...58.02...-0.21...-0.36%
ODFL...32.53...-0.24...-0.73%
LSTR...38.81...-0.38...-0.97%
JBHT...33.12...-0.56...-1.66%
SAIA...14.60...-0.37...-2.47%
YRCW...0.91...-0.03...-3.29%

FDX--
FedEx Reports Jump in Package Deliveries -- Seeking Alpha
RIMM Higher Premarket along with Apple, Palm Down - MarketBeat - WSJ
YRCW Worthless, Credit Suisse Says - Stocks To Watch Today - Barrons.com
Still Waiting to Pop the Bubbly at SmartMoney.com
FedEx Forecast Trails Estimates on 'Modest' Recovery - BusinessWeek
U.S. futures rise after RIM, Oracle reports - MarketWatch
Stock Futures Rise; RIMM Up 11% - WSJ.com
FDX: Star Analysts for FEDEX CORP - Yahoo! Finance
Mulling Unemployment and Consumer Spending at SmartMoney.com
FedEx: A View After a Bummer Report | Options/Futures | Financial Articles & Investing News | TheStreet.com
Visa and MasterCard Deserve Some Credit - Minyanville.com
Tech The Best Trade For 2010? - CNBC
FedEx: Cap & Trade hurts consumers - Video - Business News

UPS--
MarketWatch.com

CNW--
Con-way Truckload Named a 2009 Top 100 Motor Carrier by Inbound Logistics - Yahoo! Finance
In Play &reg - Yahoo! Finance - The basics of investing.
Quotes for CNW - Yahoo! Finance
US SMALL/MIDCAPS-Indices rise slightly, Palm curbs gains | Reuters
TradingMarkets 7 Stocks You Need to Know for Monday - Yahoo! Finance
Summary of CON-WAY INC. - Yahoo! Finance

ODFL--
YRCW Worthless, Credit Suisse Says - Stocks To Watch Today - Barrons.com
Quotes for ODFL - Yahoo! Finance
TradingMarkets 7 Stocks You Need to Know for Monday - Yahoo! Finance

ABFS--
YRCW Worthless, Credit Suisse Says - Stocks To Watch Today - Barrons.com
In Play &reg - Yahoo! Finance - The basics of investing.
Quotes for ABFS - Yahoo! Finance

YRCW--
Morning Movers: CECO Plunges, CarMax Rises - Stocks To Watch Today - Barrons.com
YRCW Worthless, Credit Suisse Says - Stocks To Watch Today - Barrons.com
Finding Value: TravelCenters of America -- Seeking Alpha

Techs Rally; Volume Soars to New High

The Dow struggled but eked out a gain as trading volume hit a new record Friday. Techs rallied after strong earnings reports from Oracle and Research In Motion.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq advanced 1.5 percent, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 gained 0.2 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively.
On this final "quadruple witching" day of 2009, with the simultaneous expirations of various options and futures contracts, the CBOE volatility index rose to nearly 22.
Techs Rally; Volume Soars to New High - CNBC

US Dollar Likely to Continue Upward Swing Next Week

The dollar is likely to extend gains in the upcoming week, continuing to draw support from growing signs of a stable U.S. recovery as well as a Federal Reserve plan to wind down most of its emergency lending early next year.
Both factors have pushed the market's U.S. interest rate expectations forward despite pronouncements from the Fed that it will keep interest rates low for an extended period.
US Dollar Likely to Continue Upward Swing Next Week - CNBC

Widening Yield Curve: A Mixed Blessing for Stocks?

The widening gap between short- and long-term interest rates is normally good news for stocks. But worries about huge government deficits are tempering some of the enthusiasm.
The spread in long and short rates, known as the "yield curve," is currently about 366 basis points—or more than 3 1/2 percentage points—the biggest it's been in decades.
A gap that size indicates that investors are anticipating economic growth and don't want to tie up their money for long periods of time. Investments with longer maturities then have to offer a higher rate to boost demand, and the resulting gap is seen as a bullish sign for stock investors.
Yield Spread Could Be Double-Edged Sword This Time - CNBC

Six More Months of Carry Trade: Roubini

Global markets have rallied "too much, too soon, too fast" this year but a correction will not happen right away, as a cheap dollar will still encourage investors to seek higher-yielding assets for a few more months, leading economist Nouriel Roubini said Thursday.
Roubini, one of the few economists who accurately predicted the magnitude of the financial crisis, said the U.S. dollar will eventually recover some of its losses, but only in "six to 12 months from now, not any time soon."
Six More Months of Carry Trade: Roubini - CNBC

Man of the Year? More Like Senate's New Whipping Boy

Even the "Man of the Year" has his moments.
Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke had several Thursday during the Senate Banking Committee's vote to confirm him for a second term. And he will suffer more in the coming weeks as the full Senate continues to wrestle with his nomination.
So move over Timothy Geithner. There’s a new whipping boy for what’s befallen the economy.
Fed Chief Is Lightning Rod As He Seeks Second Term - CNBC

Saab Sales Collapse Completes Dismantling of Wagoner's GM

What must former GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner be thinking?
In less than a year most of what he built in his tenure as GM CEO and before that on the GM Board has been completely dismantled. The final piece coming today with current GM Chair and CEO Ed Whitacre announcing Saab will be wound down.
It's not a surprise. GM had little leverage or will to deal Saab and the Swedish brand is a niche player that has lost its niche.
Saab Sales Collapse Completes Dismantling of Wagoner's GM - CNBC

Deficits Are Bad, But the Real Problem Is Government Spending

My old friend Dan Mitchell, senior fellow at the Cato Institute, emailed me his latest video earlier this morning.
It's timely, informative, and definitely worth a look.
Deficits Are Bad, But the Real Problem Is Government Spending - CNBC

Now you are up to speed and informed.
http://www.truckingboards.com/truck...074-questions-comments-stc-newsletter-21.html

 

[imported_River17]

Stocks Rally; Nasdaq Ends at 15-Month High

White-collar jobless join FedEx, UPS for holidays

Jobless professionals turn to FedEx, UPS for holiday jobs; seasonal could become permanent

Ed Gullo never thought he'd be on this side of a package delivery.
Gullo, 61, of Newburgh, N.Y., is driving a truck for FedEx during the holiday shipping rush that started after Thanksgiving. Gullo is no veteran truck driver. He's a news writer with experience at ABC and CNN, who found gigs hard to come by in the weak economy.
Gullo earns about $13 an hour with FedEx, far less than the $36 an hour he makes on average as a free-lancer in the news business. He said he felt out of his element at the start of training, where he made minimum wage for a week driving a small rental truck "around a lot of cones." That's some difference from last holiday season, when Gullo was writing for popular programs such as "World News Now" and "Good Morning America."
White-collar jobless join FedEx, UPS for holidays - Yahoo! Finance

Shipping giants rush to deliver holiday packages

Tis the Season: UPS and FedEx play Santa in rush to get holiday packages under the tree

Mellany Sorrell's face glistened with sweat as she lifted packages and seemed in constant motion during the holiday rush at the epicenter of UPS' global air shipping network.
The 29-year-old methodically hoisted boxes and put them gingerly onto a conveyor belt -- keeping them on a synchronized journey that could end under countless Christmas trees. After emptying a hulking container so big that she could step inside it, Sorrell caught her breath before starting again with another container stuffed with boxes. Each container holds up to 6 tons of cargo.
Shipping giants rush to deliver holiday packages - Yahoo! Finance

Analysts: YRC’s delayed deadline a negative

YRC Worldwide Inc. has received leniency from its lenders, but that may not be enough to bring success for a debt-for-equity swap that’s key to the trucking company’s effort to avoid bankruptcy.
“While the company may attribute the sharp drop to bond traders drawing the bonds and putting them back into inventory, we believe that YRCW will have a difficult time meeting the newly announced threshold from current participation commitment levels,” the note said. “If that proves to be the case, we would not be shocked to see the carrier attempt a pre-packaged bankruptcy.”
Analysts: YRC’s delayed deadline a negative - Kansas City Business Journal:

YRC Worldwide gets SEC, stakeholder approvals for debt-swap

YRC Worldwide Inc. has gotten the go-ahead from the Securities and Exchange Commission and stakeholders for its vital debt-for-equity swap effort.
The trucking company also got final approval from lenders to lower the threshold of bondholder participation in the swap effort, according to a late Monday release. And multiemployer pension funds that have let YRC put off its payments have agreed to the change, too.
“This completes major steps with certain critical stakeholders to allow the transaction to proceed without further extensions related to these steps,” YRC said in the release.
But the company still needs the crucial buy-in from a majority of its bondholders, and that has dwindled in recent days.
YRC Worldwide gets SEC, stakeholder approvals for debt-swap - Kansas City Business Journal:

UPS Freight to increase rates 5.7%

UPS Freight, the over-the-road heavy freight division of UPS, on Friday, Dec. 18, announced a general rate increase averaging 5.7 percent covering noncontractual shipments in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The rate adjustment takes effect on Jan. 4, 2010, and applies to minimum charge, less-than-truckload rates and accessorial charges.
UPS Freight to increase rates 5.7% - CCJ Magazine

Dow...10,414.14 +85.25 +0.83%

Nasdaq...2,237.66 +25.97 +1.17%

S&P 500...1,114.05 +11.58 +1.05%


KNX...18.61...+0.38...+2.08%
VTNC...11.22...+0.22...+2.00%
ODFL...33.08...+0.55...+1.69%
ABFS...31.66...+0.43...+1.38%
LSTR...39.25...+0.45...+1.16%
UPS...58.60...+0.62...+1.07%
JBHT...33.44...+0.32...+0.97%
HTLD...15.22...+0.04...+0.26%
FDX...84.71...-0.24...-0.28%
SAIA...14.55...-0.05...-0.34%
CNW...37.30...-0.13...-0.35%
YRCW...0.89...-0.02...-2.20%

FDX--
White-collar jobless join FedEx, UPS for holidays - Yahoo! Finance
Snowstorm Threatens 'Super Saturday' Sales - WSJ.com
Shipping giants rush to deliver holiday packages - Yahoo! Finance
Economic Thaw Stirs Employers - WSJ.com
Futures Rise as Final Holiday Trading Begins - CNBC
FedEx Flying Slowly
FedEx Corp: Warming Up or Cooling Off? (FDX)
Weekend snowstorm cuts U.S. holiday sales upside - Yahoo! Finance
Number One Holiday Stock
Storm could plow under some Christmas retail sales - MarketWatch

UPS--
Shipping giants rush to deliver holiday packages - Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo!
Video - CNBC.com
Behind Brown: How UPS delivers - Video - Business News
UPS Freight to increase rates 5.7% - CCJ Magazine

ABFS--
Analysts: YRC’s delayed deadline a negative - Kansas City Business Journal:

YRCW--
Analysts: YRC’s delayed deadline a negative - Kansas City Business Journal:
YRC Worldwide Gets Approvals for Debt-for-Equity Offers - Yahoo! Finance
YRC trucking makes headway on needed debt deal | Reuters
YRC Worldwide gets SEC, stakeholder approvals for debt-swap - Kansas City Business Journal:

Stocks Rally; Nasdaq Ends at 15-Month High

Stocks advanced Monday, with the Nasdaq closing at a new 15-month high, after upgrades on Alcoa and Intel and as the Senate health-care bill advanced.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 85.25, or 0.8 percent, to close at 10,414.14. The S&P 500 gained 1.1 percent to 1,114.05, while the Nasdaq advanced 1.2 percent to 2,237.66, its highest close since Sept. 2008.
The dollar bounced back against both the euro and yen, while January crude settled below $73 a barrel. Gold fell below $1,100 an ounce after recent multi-week lows.
Stocks Rally; Nasdaq Ends at 15-Month High - CNBC

Health Care Bill Moves Forward, Gets AMA Backing

Senate Democrats moved closer Monday to passing landmark health care legislation by Christmas after scoring a win in the first big test vote and gaining the support of a powerful lobbying group for doctors.
In a middle-of-the-night vote in the snowy U.S. capital, Democrats rounded up 60 votes to clear a crucial Republican procedural hurdle and put a broad revamp of the health care system on a path for passage on Christmas Eve.
Health Care Reform: Health Care Bill Moves Forward in Senate, Gets AMA Backing - CNBC

Art Cashin: What's Really Driving the Rally

Stocks gained monday after Alcoa and Intel were upgraded. What does it really mean for the markets? Art Cashin, director of floor operations for UBS Financial Services, offered CNBC his insights.
Cashin noted that the vaunted "Santa rally" didn't come to full-on fruition this year:
"We might have to put [Santa's] picture on a milk carton, because he hasn't been around here that much."
By many accounts, this has been the worst decade ever for stocks. Does that imply that the upcoming 10-year period will see a strong rebound? Not necessarily, according to Cashin.
CNBC Stock Blog — Art Cashin: Dollar-Stock Link 'Absolutely' Exists — CNBC.com Market News - CNBC

2010 Energy Stock Outlook: Oil vs NatGas

If the U.S. continues to focus on reducing its carbon footprint, natural gas will be a better buy than oil in 2010, said Phil Weiss, senior energy analyst at Argus Research Company.
Still, only one of his top energy picks for the New Year involves the natural gas category, because the shares are trading a bit too high, he said.
CNBC Stock Blog — 2010 Energy Outlook: Oil vs NatGas — CNBC.com Investing and Market News - CNBC

High Earner Tax Alert: Plan to Take Advantage of 2010

Do you see a warning light flashing? Americans with high net worth and high incomes are preparing for the likelihood of higher taxes in 2011 and subsequent years. High earners are almost certainly going to take the hit if the EGTRRA and JGTRRA cuts fade away at the end of 2010.
There are some developments you will want to remember, and some tax breaks you might very well want to exploit.

Stiglitz Warns US Economy May Contract Next Year

Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz warned there's a "significant" chance the U.S. economy will contract in the second half of next year, and urged the government to prepare a second stimulus package to spur job creation.
"The likelihood of this slowdown is very, very high," Stiglitz told reporters in Singapore. "There is a significant chance that the number will be in the negative range."
Stiglitz Warns US Economy May Contract Next Year - CNBC

Without Bipartisan Support, Bernanke Should Withdraw

Helicopter Ben Bernanke passed his reconfirmation vote in the Senate Banking Committee last week.
But he passed by 16 to 7. Most of the Republicans voted against Bernanke, as did one Democrat, Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon. The reconfirmation now goes to the floor of the Senate, where it’s going to be held up for a while. (Sen. Jim DeMint and others are insisting that a vote on the Government Accounting Office’s audit of the Fed occur first.) But when the final vote happens, I think Bernanke could be in trouble.
Mirroring the Banking Committee vote, most of the 40 Senate Republicans may vote against Bernanke, and they will be joined by a number of Democrats. If Bernanke were to be opposed by as many as 35 or 40 votes, it would substantially undermine his credibility.
Without Bipartisan Support, Bernanke Should Withdraw - CNBC

You Tell Me: What's the Overlooked Auto Story of 2009

On a regular basis, I get e-mails from people saying we spend too much time focused on GM surviving, Ford being on a roll, or the development of electric cars.
These e-mails often include comments that I'm missing the "real" story.
Aside from making me chuckle at the suggestion of one story being legitimate while the other is not, I love getting these e-mails.
You Tell Me: What's the Overlooked Auto Story of 2009 - CNBC

Offer for GM's Saab Extended by Spyker

Sweden said a last-ditch bid by Spyker Cars for Saab offered a thread of hope the iconic brand would survive, as talks between the Dutch luxury carmaker and General Motors triggered an extended deadline.
Russia-backed Spyker said Sunday it had lodged a renewed fast-track offer to buy Saab from General Motors, imposing an expiry of 2200 GMT on Monday, but said Monday night it had extended the expiry.
The surprise new offer from Spyker — which made 43 luxury cars last year against Saab's sales of 93,295 — came just two days after talks with GM over a rescue of the loss-making Swedish manufacturer collapsed.
Offer for GM's Saab Extended by Spyker - CNBC

Now you are up to speed and informed.
http://www.truckingboards.com/truck...074-questions-comments-stc-newsletter-21.html

 

[imported_River17]

Stocks Finish Up as Holiday Rally Continues

FedEx Express launches international ad campaign

FedEx Express has launched a new global advertising campaign titled “FedEx Delivers to a Changing World.”
The campaign highlights how FedEx Express provides access to new markets, supports local communities and connects the world in sustainable ways.
“We live in a world where the pace of change is unprecedented,” Andrew Self, vice president of marketing and communications with FedEx Express Europe, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent & Africa, said in a statement. “This new advertising campaign extends the strong legacy of the Fedex Express brand globally, illustrating how customers can count on FedEx to help them achieve business success.”
FedEx Express launches international ad campaign - Memphis Business Journal:

Joe Namath sued over claims dog bit UPS man

A former UPS driver has sued Joe Namath, alleging he was attacked by the Hall of Fame quarterback's dogs while making a delivery at his Florida home.
Attorneys for David Gunter say he hasn't been able to work since the 2007 incident in Tequesta, about 90 miles north of Miami. Lawyer Steven Slootsky says Gunter required four surgeries after suffering injuries to his neck, back and knee.
Gunter isn't the only one to have problems with Namath's dogs.
Joe Namath sued over claims dog bit UPS man - Yahoo! Finance

Saia Selling Stock to Pay Debt

Under pricing pressure, LTL carrier warns of loss, seeks new covenant terms

Regional trucker Saia, seeking to restructure debt obligations amid falling demand and high costs, said Tuesday it will sell 2.3 million shares to institutional investors as part of a plan to make impending payments.
Saia said it expects to raise $25.1 million in the offering, which is expected to close Dec. 29, and that it will use the money to pay off some debt. Lenders in the agreement would ease some terms of covenants through the first quarter of 2011.
The company, which expanded its profit in the third quarter more than 20 percent, said it now expects to lose between $4 million and $5 million in the fourth quarter because of declining tonnage and “the cumulative effect of yield deterioration due to continued pricing actions by certain competitors.”
Saia Selling Stock to Pay Debt | Journal of Commerce

YRC Worldwide Wins Key Debt-Swap Approvals

SEC, lenders OK plan, but troubled trucking giant still faces bondholder deadline

YRC Worldwide won important approvals from lenders and the Securities and Exchange Commission for the debt-for-equity swap the trucking giant needs to avoid filing for bankruptcy protection.
Lenders and multi-employer pension funds approved changes allowing the company to lower the threshold for minimum approval of the debt swap, clearing one barrier to a plan aimed at restoring YRC’s financial health.
The company still needs approval from a majority of its bondholders by midnight the night of Dec. 23 for the move that would effectively swap some $537 million in debt for 95 percent of the company’s publicly traded shares.
YRC Worldwide Wins Key Debt-Swap Approvals | Journal of Commerce

YRC Worldwide’s union seeks regulatory investigation of credit-default swaps

YRC Worldwide Inc.’s union is asking regulators to investigate “questionable” practices that it thinks are harming YRC’s debt-for-equity swap, a key part of its plan to detour bankruptcy.
International Brotherhood of Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa on Tuesday sent letters to the Securities and Exchange Commission, state attorneys general, state insurance officials and members of Congress, including Rep. Dennis Moore, D-Kan., the Teamsters said in a Tuesday release. Hoffa asked them to look at the promotion of credit-default swaps for YRC (Nasdaq: YRCW) bonds to see whether financial firms were underwriting or marketing basis packages that included YRC bonds and credit-default swaps. The Teamsters support regulation of such financial instruments and practices, the release said.
“Certain financial firms have been or are marketing and/or underwriting a strategy where bonds in YRCW would be bought by investors with the intent of voting against the exchange, thereby triggering a bankruptcy that would pay the investors and possible other financial firms huge profits from the high (credit-default swap) payments...” Hoffa wrote. “The profit from the YRCW (credit-default swaps) would far outweigh losses from the failed YRCW bonds.”
YRC Worldwide’s union seeks regulatory investigation of credit-default swaps - Kansas City Business Journal:

Arrow Trucking closes suddenly

Arrow Trucking Co. abruptly closed Dec. 22, effectively stranding its company drivers across the country three days before Christmas, news sources report.
The company’s website, www.arrowtrucking.com, is no longer operational, and the headquarters in Tulsa, Okla., could not be reached for a response by telephone.
KTUL News Channel 8, Tulsa, Oklahoma’s ABC network affiliate, says employee payroll checks recently bounced.
Arrow Trucking closes suddenly - eTrucker

Arrow driver: carrier’s closing feels like ‘Armageddon’, Christmas plans cancelled

For David Furnier, everything was going well at Arrow Trucking Co. The Houston, Texas, trucker was getting plenty of loads and was receiving his paychecks regularly.
Then he woke up Tuesday without a job and feeling like Armageddon had hit.
Furnier, speaking to The Trucker from a TravelCenters of America truck stop here, said he and other drivers were blindsided by the announcement Tuesday that Arrow was shutting its doors.
“We weren’t expecting this to happen,” Furnier said by telephone Tuesday afternoon. “We’d heard that the company was going to do a little bit of restructuring, but this is more than restructuring. This is complete annihilation. It feels like today was Armageddon for us as Arrow drivers.”
TheTrucker.com - America's Trucking Newspaper

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FDX--
YRC Soars As Exchange Offer Approved - Stocks To Watch Today - Barrons.com
Let us praise the venture capitalists - Fortune Brainstorm Tech
Video - CNBC.com
Yahoo!
Buy Accenture for 2010
FedEx Express launches international ad campaign - Memphis Business Journal:
http://podcast.mktw.net/audio/20091222/rnrtruckingindicator/rnrtruckingindicator.mp3
FedEx Corp: Warming Up or Cooling Off? (FDX)

UPS--
Financial Crisis? Don't Just Blame the Bankers - Consumer Ignorance Played an Equal Part -- Seeking Alpha
Joe Namath sued over claims dog bit UPS man - Yahoo! Finance

SAIA--
Quotes for SAIA - Yahoo! Finance
Saia Selling Stock to Pay Debt | Journal of Commerce
Saia, Inc. Announces Agreement to Sell Shares of Common Stock and Modify Debt Agreements - Yahoo! Finance
In Play &reg - Yahoo! Finance - The basics of investing.
UPDATE 1-Saia sees weak Q4; amends credit agreement | Reuters
Saia to sell shares and amend credit line - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
TradingMarkets 7 Stocks You Need to Know for Wednesday - Yahoo! Finance
Summary of SAIA INC - Yahoo! Finance

YRCW--
YRC Soars As Exchange Offer Approved - Stocks To Watch Today - Barrons.com
YRC Worldwide Wins Key Debt-Swap Approvals | Journal of Commerce
YRC hits milestones in debt-for-equity offers - Yahoo! Finance
Summary of YRC WORLDWIDE INC - Yahoo! Finance
YRC Worldwide’s union seeks regulatory investigation of credit-default swaps - Kansas City Business Journal:

Stocks Finish Up as Holiday Rally Continues

Wall Street continued its push for a happy holiday, with stocks closing higher Tuesday as investors focused on positive housing news and the prospects of a mild Santa Claus rally.
That at least was the reaction from what few investors remained in the market as a wild 2009 nears what likely will be a quiet close.
Trading in a narrow range on very light volume, stocks were powered higher by home builders and energy companies.
Stocks Finish Up as Holiday Rally Continues - CNBC

Art Cashin: Market Rally Can Hold — If This Happens

The U.S. Dollar Index has been trading higher in the last few days, the longest winning streak since the 11 consecutive days of gains back in August 2008, while the markets' trading sessions have been rocky. Is the “tether” between the markets and the dollar being stretched or broken?
“Yesterday when the dollar basket went up in the afternoon, it drove gold and oil into negative territory, but stocks only gave up a portion of their gains," Cashin told CNBC. "A week or two ago, they would have gone negative on that."
Cashin said if the S&P can reach 1,120 to 1,125, then the market has potential to hold the rally.
CNBC Stock Blog — Art Cashin: Market Rally Holds at This S&P Level — CNBC.com Investing News - CNBC

Markets to Retest March Lows: Strategist

“We’ve got some major headwinds coming our way,” Deighan told CNBC.
“The massive unprecedented amount of treasury issues that are going on—that’s going to bump up supply, and that’s going to drive interest rates up in terms of this steep curve that we’re seeing.”
Deighan also said stocks will retest the March lows and will bust through them. He advised investors to buy gold instead of stocks.
CNBC Stock Blog — Markets to Retest March Lows—So Buy Gold: Strategist — CNBC.com Investing, Business News - CNBC

'Powerful' Rally in First Half of 2010: Strategist

“We’ve been consolidating—we’re at the high end of the range, but we’re stuck here,” Kleintop told CNBC.
“[But] the bull market’s not over yet…we’re going to keep going higher. Somewhere towards the end of the first half, the market begins to give some of the gains up.”
Kleintop said he expects the stock market to rally “powerfully” in the first half of 2010. Then, it will give up about 50 percent of its gains in the latter half as the Federal Reserve hikes rates, China slows loan growth and the Fed stops buying mortgaged-backed securities.
CNBC Stock Blog — Powerful Market Rally in First Half of 2010: Strategist — CNBC.com Investing and Business News - CNBC

Geithner: Tight Lending Threatens US Recovery

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner expressed confidence on Tuesday that the U.S. economy was on a solid recovery path, but said tight lending practices by banks still pose a risk.
"Right now, the real risk we face is that banks are not lending enough and not going to provide the capital businesses need to grow for the economy to strengthen going forward," Geithner said in an interview on National Public Radio.
Geithner: Tight Lending Threatens US Recovery - CNBC

GM CFO Hiring Sets Roadmap for Automaker's Future

Let's be clear, Chris Liddell is not being hired JUST to be General Motors CFO.
Sure, he'll get that title and hold that job for several months, but his future at GM will go way beyond overseeing the company's financial operations.
Liddell has the look and feel of an accomplished executive GM Chairman Ed Whitacre could see as the perfect CEO for General Motors.
GM CFO Hiring Sets Roadmap for Automaker's Future - CNBC

The Yield Curve Is Signaling Bigger Growth

What’s a yield curve and why is it so important?
Well, the curve itself measures Treasury interest rates, by maturity, from 91-day T-bills all the way out to 30-year bonds. It’s the difference between the long rates and the short rates that tells a key story about the future of the economy.
When the curve is wide and upward sloping, as it is today, it tells us that the economic future is good. When the curve is upside down, or inverted, with short rates above long rates, it tells us that something is amiss -- such as a credit crunch and a recession.
The Yield Curve Is Signaling Bigger Growth - CNBC

Now you are up to speed and informed.
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