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The pace of trucking bankruptcies slowed during the third quarter — to 785 from 935 in the second quarter — but rather than signaling a turn, the decline was, as one analyst put it, “only a lull in the storm.”

Growth in U.S. truck tonnage slowed significantly in September as the national economy contracted during the third quarter, and a major freight-matching service said last week the spot market for truckload service fell well below year-ago levels as the fourth quarter got under way.

Despite passage of a $700 billion aid package intended to shore up depleted capital of large and small institutions, the near-collapse of U.S. financial markets is making it tougher for carriers to buy or lease equipment, and will force a reduction in the use of debt to pay for mergers and acquisitions.

The average price of U.S. retail diesel shed another 19.4 cents last week, dropping to $3.288 a gallon, while the gasoline average fell below year-ago levels for the first time in 2008, according to the Department of Energy.

Technology firm Intermec Inc. said its third-quarter net income rose to $11 million, or 18 cents per share, from $4.4 million, or 7 cents per share, a year ago.

Heavy-duty truck parts maker ArvinMeritor Inc. said Friday it will cut 1,250 jobs and may sell the auto-components unit it had planned to spin off to shareholders.

Diesel engine maker Cummins Inc. said Friday its third-quarter profit jumped 24% on stronger international sales, but the company lowered its full-year sales outlook.

U.S. consumer confidence fell this month in the largest decline since data began in 1978, according to the Reuters/University of Michigan’s final monthly consumer sentiment index, released Friday.

Consumer personal spending dropped 0.3% in September, the biggest drop in four years, the Commerce Department said Friday.