December 19, 2014: Stock analysts high on trucking; Truck pricing investigation heats up in Europe; Nissan and Toyota prepping new pickups.

Here is a look at what is happening in the world of transportation this morning:

• Stock analysts see strong economic upsides for trucking in the coming months, though not for all motor carriers equally, reports Seeking Alphas.
• A trucking company executive is accused of stealing employee funds, according to the Gant Daily.
• The cost estimates for Alaska’s natural gas trucking plan are headed in the wrong direction, notes the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.
• Germany’s Daimler AG is reportedly setting aside $748 million, says The New York Times, as the European Commission investigates a truck price fixing scheme allegedly conducted by OEMs in Europe.
• A FedEx truck driver got shot while piloting his rig near the Memphis International Airport, reports WMC Action News 5.
• Fiat Chrysler is recalling over a quarter million Ram 1500 pickups built between 2004 and 2005 to fix a rear axle issue, according to The Detroit News.
• New pickups from Nissan and Toyota are expected to be unveiled in January, notes The Car Connection.
• Global oil prices picked up slightly after four weeks of precipitous declines, according to Reuters.
• Privacy issues – for both individuals and corporations – will continue to about on the Internet for at least another decade, notes Modern Readers.
• U.S. jobless claims are down again, which analysts believe is another indicator of stronger economic growth, reports The Sioux City Journal.
• Environmental activists say they hope New York’s recent ban on “fracking” will create a “domino effect” and lead to similar bans in other states, according to National Geographic.