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Crude oil prices edged up Wednesday after falling in intraday trading following a Department of Energy report that showed stronger-than-expected oil inventories.

Grocery firm Ahold Group reported fourth-quarter earnings of about $124 million or 8 cents a share, compared with about $15.5 million or less than 1 cent a year earlier.

Truckload carrier U.S. Xpress Enterprises Inc. said Wednesday it is facing a first-quarter loss of 11 cents to 14 cents per share due to high fuel prices and reduced seasonal freight demand.

Union Pacific Corp. said Wednesday it will spend almost $1.6 billion this year to improve its rail tracks.

BNSF Railway Co. said Tuesday it will assess fuel surcharges on a mileage basis starting next year, and that it would be the first mileage-based fuel surcharge in the railroad industry.

The Conference Board said Tuesday its index of consumer confidence declined to 102.4 in March from a revised 104.4 in February.

WASHINGTON — A federal judge said last week he was “astounded” that neither railroad nor federal officials could tell him what the government’s plans were for protecting the U.S. Capitol from possible attacks involving hazardous materials cargo carried by rail.

Tank truck carrier Quality Distribution Inc. reported a fourth-quarter loss of $6.6 million or 35 cents a share, compared with a $67.9 million or $4.95 per-share loss a year earlier.

Truckers in central Tennessee may see their speed limits lowered to 55 miles per hour, 10 mph below a 65-mph speed limit that would be set for automobiles, the Nashville Tennessean reported.

The national average retail price of diesel fuel rose 0.5 cent to $2.249, eclipsing last week's record high price, the Department of Energy said Monday.