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Chairman Alan Greenspan and his colleagues at the Federal Reserve are sending signals that they may soon cut interest rates to stimulate a sagging economy, and the trucking industry has a major stake in the outcome.

As 2000 draws to a close, the rest of the nation is discovering what truckers have known for months: The nation’s economy is slowing down markedly.

The financial markets have a complex, convoluted and constantly changing relationship with the Federal Reserve, the institution wielding power over short-term rates.

At least since the virtual coronation of Ronald Reagan as president, the prevailing mythology has been that our federal regulatory agencies are careening out of control, placing needless and unwarranted burdens on American business that stifle economic growth.

Monthly sales totals for Class 8 trucks in the United States have been retreating all year — and, in the final months of the year, the retreat is turning into a rout.

Package-delivery giant FedEx Corp. said Wednesday it will hike rates that it charges for U.S. shipments by an average of 4.9%, effective Feb. 1.

Monthly sales totals for Class 8 trucks in the United States have been retreating all year — and, in the final months of the year, the retreat is turning into a rout.

In the news this morning: Mitsubishi/Volvo medium truck debut planned for 2004; southern ice storm spreads eastward; Trailer Bridge lands DaimlerChrysler shipping contract; and more.

The average U.S. diesel price fell again in the latest week, by 3 cents to 151.5 cents per gallon, the U.S. Energy Department reported. That is the fourth consecutive weekly decline and brings the average price of diesel at U.S. fueling stations to its lowest level since Aug. 21.

Today's Technology Headlines: Hong Kong terminal launches logistics-enhancing web site; VeriSign, Telcordia start test of data links to phones; Software firm Tradiant goes global with ship lines and Moving health information, supplies faster