ZURICH, Oct 11, 2007 (AFP) - The transport and logistics group Kuehne + Nagel said Thursday that competition authorities in several countries were carrying out an investigation into international freight forwarding companies.

The Swiss-based group said competition authorities had carried inspections on Kuehne + Nagel in Switzerland, the United States and in Britain, as well on other firms.

'The investigation relates to alleged anti-competitive activities in the area of international freight forwarding,' it added in a statement

BRUSSELS, Oct 10, 2007 (AFP) - EU competition regulators conducted on Monday surprise inspections at unnamed companies in the business of freight forwarding on concerns they may have run an illegal cartel.

'The (European) Commission has reason to believe that the companies concerned may have violated (EU) rules that outlaw restrictive business practices,' it said in a statement.

It added that such raids marked 'a preliminary step' in cartel investigations and did not necessarily mean that the companies were guilty of breaking EU antitrust laws.

PARIS, Sept 27, 2007 (AFP) - The French industrial group Bollore on Thursday reported a decline in first half net profit, citing slower activity in its energy distribution unit and increased expenses in its media operations.

Bollore, which is also active in transportation and logistics, said net earnings fell 33.2 percent to 366 million euros (517 million dollars) in the first six months of the year compared with the same period last year.

HONG KONG, Aug 6, 2007 (AFP) - The printing chain of US logistics giant FedEx said Monday it will target the booming Chinese market as it announced a major expansion in the country.

Kinko's said it will add 12 new stores in China next year bringing the total number of shops to 26 to meet the rising demand among the country's small and medium enterprises for printing and copying services.

FRANKFURT, Aug 3, 2007 (AFP) - Deutsche Post, the semi-privatised German postal operation and Europe's biggest postal service, Friday announced second-quarter results that exceeded expectations but warned of possible job cuts.

Net profit was up 13.1 percent year on year to 285 million euros (390 million dollars), while operating profit rose 9.5 percent to 703 million euros.

Sales rose 6.5 percent to 15.44 billion euros.

All the figures outpaced analysts' expectations.