������ý

The Institute for Supply Management’s January manufacturing index showed a contraction, as factories reined in orders to trim inventories, ISM said Thursday.

Less-than-truckload carrier Old Dominion Freight Line’s fourth-quarter profit rose 21.5% to $17.8 million or 48 cents a share, from $14.7 million or 39 cents a year earlier.

Freight forwarder Target Logistics’ fiscal second-quarter profit fell to $590,000 or 3 cents a share, from $976,000 or 5 cents in the previous second quarter.

Consumer personal spending rose in December by the most in five months and personal incomes also rose, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

First-time U.S. jobless claims fell by 20,000 last week to 307,000, the Labor Department said Thursday.

Bankrupt auto-parts maker Delphi Corp. lost $5.1 billion in 2006, including a $2.9 billion restructuring charge, the Detroit News reported Wednesday.

LAS VEGAS — Leading heavy-duty truck components manufacturers said technology exists today to build a safer, environmentally friendly and low-cost heavy-duty “world truck,” but major obstacles are consumer acceptance and the lack of a single global standard for emissions and safety technology.

Swedish truck maker Scania AB posted a fifth straight gain in quarterly income and German rival MAN AG dropped a hostile takeover bid in favor of friendly negotiations, Bloomberg reported.

Less-than-truckload carrier Saia Inc. said Thursday it has acquired Wisconsin-based LTL company Madison Freight Systems for about $2.5 million.