91ÊÓƵ

The House of Representatives last week approved an $819 billion package of spending and tax cuts aimed at boosting the economy, but with less spending on such projects as roads and bridges than some key legislators wanted.

Less-than-truckload carriers in the fourth quarter were hammered by sagging tonnage and fiercely competitive pricing, several of the largest publicly traded LTLs said last week.

Oil giant Exxon Mobil Corp. Friday reported a 2008 profit of $45.2 billion, breaking its own record for a U.S. company, although its fourth-quarter earnings fell 33% from a year ago, the Associated Press reported.

The U.S. economy contracted 3.8% in the fourth quarter, the biggest drop since 1982, though it grew for the year, the Commerce Department said Friday.

U.S. consumer confidence improved this month, according to the Reuters/University of Michigan’s final monthly consumer sentiment index released Friday.

Manufacturing activity in the Chicago region contracted in January for a fourth straight month, the National Association of Purchasing Management said Wednesday.

Surface trade among the United States, Canada and Mexico fell 13.8% in November from a year earlier, the Department of Transportation said Thursday.

December new home sales fell to the lowest level on record, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

Durable goods orders fell for a fifth straight month in December, the Commerce Department said Thursday.