Industrials

The Germanwings air crash investigation shouldn't set a precedent for future investigations because it sought to assign blame before the probe was complete, which could jeopardize airline cooperation if it became the practice, the head of a trade association representing the global airline industry said Wednesday.

Home appliance maker Electrolux has issued a profit warning for its North American division, saying its first-quarter results will be worse than anticipated.

Commercial and industrial chemical products company Zep Inc. is being taken private in a $692 million sale including assumed debt to private equity firm New Mountain Capital.

The Boston-area transit system suffers from a structural failure that has resulted in severe financial distress, ineffective management and no viable maintenance and repair plan for its vehicles and equipment, according to a scathing report released Wednesday by a panel created by Gov. Charlie Baker.

Shares of some top aerospace companies are mixed at 1 p.m.: Boeing rose $1.74 or 1.2 percent, to $152.67.

Shares of some top construction companies are mixed at 1 p.m.: Fluor rose $.15 or .3 percent, to $59.05.

Shares of some top airlines companies are up at 1 p.m.: Delta Air rose $.10 or .2 percent, to $41.86.

Business travelers are bypassing the taxi queue with greater frequency, choosing instead ride-hailing services like Uber Technologies.

Shares of some top construction companies were up at the close of trading: Fluor rose $1.31 or 2.3 percent, to $58.90.

Shares of some top aerospace companies were up at the close of trading: Boeing rose $1.65 or 1.1 percent, to $150.93.

The machinists' union has dropped an election among Delta Air Lines flight attendants after questions were raised about support cards submitted by the union.

Shares of some top airlines companies were down at the close of trading: Delta Air fell $.49 or 1.2 percent, to $41.76.

Shares of some top construction companies are up at 1 p.m.: Fluor rose $1.26 or 2.2 percent, to $58.85.

Shares of some top airlines companies are down at 1 p.m.: Delta Air fell $.77 or 1.8 percent, to $41.48.

Southwest Airlines Co. earned a record profit last year and the CEO benefited with a 24 percent increase in compensation, to $5 million.

Shares of some top aerospace companies are up at 1 p.m.: Boeing rose $1.57 or 1.1 percent, to $150.85.

Shares of some top construction companies are up at 10 a.m.: Fluor rose $.50 or .9 percent, to $58.09.

Shares of some top airlines companies are down at 10 a.m.: Delta Air fell $.78 or 1.8 percent, to $41.47.

Shares of some top aerospace companies are mixed at 10 a.m.: Boeing rose $.49 or .3 percent, to $149.77.

With the touch of a finger on an iPod-style screen, Eric Besenfelder can monitor and troubleshoot the shiny, wood-pellet furnace that heats Athens Elementary School in the Hudson Valley.