NATION

NATION

Freight railroads accused
of overcharging by $6.5M

WASHINGTON — Five major freight rail companies overcharged customers by more than $6.5 billion under the guise of fuel surcharges, according to a study commissioned by businesses that accuse U.S. railroads of anti-competitive behavior. “This is the greatest train robbery of the 21st century,” said Jack Gerard, president and chief executive of the American Chemistry Council, which represents about 90 percent of the nation’s chemical makers.

McDonald’s stocks soar

OAK BROOK, Ill. — McDonald’s Corp. stock surged to an all-time high Thursday after the fast-food chain announced the largest dividend increase in its history and pledged to return more money to shareholders than Wall Street expected. Shares in the company rose $3.10, or 6 percent, to $54.30. The increase came a day after McDonald’s raised its annual dividend by 50 cents per share to $1.50 Wednesday and said it expects to return between $15 billion and $17 billion in cash to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks between 2007 and 2009.

Associated Press