Make strategic use of your CCA

My column last month about how to tax-plan when you buy or lease a truck triggered some great phone calls from owner/operators. A few had to do with Capital Cost Allowance, or CCA. That's where you're allowed to deduct a calculated portion of...

Outlook 2012: Growth signals for trucking are present but so are risk factors

GRAPEVINE, Texas - The economic outlook for trucking may be as muddled right now as that for the North American economy but fears of a double dip recession are over stated the All Eyes on the Economy panel concluded at the American Trucking...

The economy, hours of service and finding drivers top concerns for US carriers

GRAPEVINE, Texas -- They're likely sick of having to worry about it, but for the third year in a row trucking executives in the US can't seem to get the state of the economy out of their minds.

Don’t let current uncertainty divert your attention from future opportunity, ATA’s Graves advises

GRAPEVINE, Texas --- Motor carrier executives grappling with the current economic uncertainty need to be careful not to miss out on the opportunities that lie ahead, warned American Trucking Associations president and CEO Bill Graves in his...

TransCore’s Canadian Freight Index steady in September, best third quarter in 10 years

TORONTO, Ont. -- TransCore's Canadian Freight Index saw load volumes remain strong in September with a 12 percent increase year-over-year and down slightly from August...

Rail traffic now on a faster track

TORONTO, Ont. - Traffic running on North America's Class 1 rail network closed the third quarter on a positive note, growing 4% in week 39 of the year. That was the highest year-over-year increase since week 19, which ended on May 14, 2011.

For-hire motor carriers boost revenues but higher costs cuts into first quarter profits

OTTAWA, Ont. - Canadian trucking companies earned operating revenue of $10.1 billion in the first quarter, up 5.2% from the same quarter a year earlier.

RBC Canadian Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index finds both production and new order growth strengthen during September

TORONTO , Ont. -- RBC's  Canadian Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index  today provided a ray of hope to the otherwise gloomy economic forecasts dominating the news and may point to a late-year rally for the country's economy. The...

Look in the mirror

For owner/operators and fleet executives finally starting to raise their heads above water, the latest news that we could be heading right back into recession, or at least a period of very slow growth, is hard to stomach.

Three decisions to make when you shop for a truck

Shopping for a truck involves three separate decisions. There's the vehicle itself, the money to pay for it, and the taxes. Like legs on a stool, all three need to bear weight if that truck is going to help you make a good living.

Law needed to protect carriers from shipper indemnification clauses in freight contracts

There has been a growing trend, particularly amongst large shippers, to include an indemnification clause in their freight contracts with carriers.

Anemic economy points to slow growth for freight rates: Dr. Saipe

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. -- General truck freight rates should grow at an average annual rate of 1%-2% through 2012," Dr. Alan Saipe told transportation professionals attending the SCL-Nulogx breakfast conference entitled "Transportation Strategy:...

Freight volume growth will be slack; peak season will be muted, analyst warns

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. - Expect slackening to flat freight volumes for the remainder of 2011, warned Cormark Securities' David Newman at yesterday's SCL-Nulogx breakfast conference aptly entitled "Transportation Strategy: Planning for 2012 in...

Expect slower growth but no recession, BMO economist tells Transportation Conference

TORONTO, Ont. - Canadians worried about the darkening clouds on the economic horizon will have to live with modest growth of just 2% for 2011 and 2012 but we are not heading towards recession, Kenrick Jordan, senior economist with BMO Capital...

TransCore’s Canadian Freight Index sees double digit increase for August

TORONTO, Ont. -- TransCore's Canadian Freight Index for the nation's spot market in August was up 10% from July 2011 and had a 12% increase year-over-year.  August 2011 freight volumes were the highest for same month over the last five...