UPS rates to increase nearly 6%

NEW YORK (AP) -- United Parcel Service Inc. on Friday announced a general rate increase of 5.9% for 2009.

UPS, the world's largest package delivery company, will raise ground shipment rates by an average of 5.9% and increase rates on air express and international shipments bound from the U.S. by an average of 4.9%.

The rate hikes take effect Jan. 5.