The U.S. Transportation Department said yesterday that 88.6 percent of November flights arrived on time, beating the record of 88 percent set in September 2002. Hawaiian Airlines had the best record at 93.3 percent, followed by United and Southwest. Atlantic Southeast Airlines was late 19.5 percent of the time, worst in the field. AirTran was a close second.

The U.S. Justice Department is waiting for Ticketmaster and Live Nation to offer more concessions before deciding whether to block the music-industry deal, said two knowledgeable sources. Proposals so far haven't resolved concerns that the deal, joining the biggest ticketing company with the largest concert promoter, would harm competition. A decision isn't expected before shareholders vote on the deal today.

Rates for 30-year home loans inched downward this week, the first decline in a month, but remained above last month's record lows. The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage was 5.09 percent this week, down from 5.14 percent a week earlier, mortgage company Freddie Mac said yesterday. The average rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 4.5 percent, down from 4.54 percent last week.

Calgon Carbon said it received $34 million in contracts to supply activated carbon to control mercury emissions at industrial plants. The Robinson environmental services firm said the contracts ranged from one to five years. Three of them are for power plants and the fourth is for a cement plant.

Gov. Edward G. Rendell yesterday signed an emergency declaration to ease deliveries of propane and heating fuels during the current cold snap. The declaration temporarily eases requirements for drivers of trucks carrying heating fuels, extending the period before mandatory rest for drivers from 11 to 14 hours. The measure was sought to help ease logistical challenges posed by severe weather.

State Rep. Tony DeLuca, chairman of the House Insurance Committee, said he would hold a hearing on possible outsourcing of jobs by Highmark Inc. Earlier this week, state Rep. Matt Smith, D-Mt. Lebanon, wrote a letter to Rep. DeLuca requesting hearings after a Post-Gazette report detailing Highmark's outsourcing plans.

Sears Holdings Corp. said it expected fourth-quarter adjusted profit to come in sharply above last year's results thanks to stronger sales at Kmart chain. ... Sources say American Airlines increased its offer by $300 million, to $1.4 billion, to save its relationship with Japan Airlines. American is in a battle with Delta Air Lines over a partnership with Japan Airlines. ... Cadbury said it would publish an updated defense against Kraft's hostile takeover bid on Tuesday, followed on Thursday by a report of its 2009 financial performance.

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