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The U.S. economy’s service sector contracted in January but at a lower rate than previously reported, the Institute for Supply Management said Tuesday.

Express-1 Inc., parent company of Express-1 Expedited Solutions, acquired First Class Expediting Services in a deal that may become a template for future acquisitions, Express-1’s chief financial officer said.

UPS Inc. on Jan. 27 appointed Ken Torok president of its global freight-forwarding operations.

Kansas City Southern said its fourth-quarter profit fell 27% to $36.4 million, or 40 cents a share, from $49.9 million, or 56 cents, a year ago.

Transportation software firm Xata Corp. said Wednesday it lost $716,000, or 8 cents a share, in its fiscal first quarter, compared with a loss of $1.1 million, or 14 cents, a year ago.

U.S. auto sales plunged in January, with all of the Big Three automakers’ sales down at least 40%, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.

Truck components maker ArvinMeritor said Wednesday its fiscal first-quarter loss from continuing operations was $991 million, or $13.71 per share, compared with a loss of $1 million, or 1 cent, a year ago.

Vitran Logistics has opened a distribution center in Ontario, Calif., in order to serve Sam’s Club, the company said.

Construction spending fell 1.4% in December, the Commerce Department said Monday.