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For any company that goes the route of running its own private fleet — seeking the advantage of always being its own highest-priority customer — the most common pitfall is failing to properly manage operational costs, industry officials said.

An unprecedented wave of exports, mostly to Russia, has cushioned a downturn in the Class 8 used-truck business, which has been hurt by high fuel prices and a weak freight market, according to industry executives.

Truckload carriers are slashing capacity at the highest rate in a decade in an effort to bring supply and demand into balance as fuel prices skyrocket and demand withers, according to industry experts.

New home sales fell to a 17-year low in March, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

Parts maker Commercial Vehicle Group said it earned $500,000, or 2 cents a share, in the first quarter, compared with $3 million, or 14 cents, a year ago.

Wireless-services provider Qualcomm Inc. said its fiscal second-quarter earnings rose 5% to $766 million, or 47 cents a share, from $726 million, or 43 cents, a year ago.

Ford Motor Co. said Thursday it posted a $100 million profit in the first quarter, led by strong results from Europe and South America that helped offset slumping U.S. sales, the Associated Press reported.

Initial jobless claims fell by 33,000 last week, the Labor Department said Thursday.

Durable goods orders fell 0.3% in March, though bookings excluding transportation orders increased, the Commerce Department said Thursday.