National Business

NEW YORK — The coronavirus outbreak has thrown 10 million Americans out of work in just two weeks, the swiftest, most stunning collapse the U.S.

TORONTO — The biggest market downturn in more than a decade has rattled nerves and may ultimately force some investors to postpone their approaching retirements, say experts.

TORONTO — When Robert Prichard welcomed shareholders to Bank of Montreal’s annual general meeting on Tuesday, it was the first time the company's board chairman had done so without standing before shareholders in person.

MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway Co. hit an all-time record for March grain movement. Chief operating officer Rob Reilly says the 2.62 million tonnes of grain is a 6.1 per cent increase from 2017, the previous record for March.

OTTAWA — Canada's merchandise trade deficit narrowed to $983 million in February compared with $1.7 billion in January, as the economic impact of COVID-19 showed some of its first signs with a drop in trade with China.

TORONTO — The energy sector helped Canada's main stock index post a triple-digit advance in late-morning trading as the price of oil shot higher after U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted that he expected Saudi Arabia and Russia to cut production.

WASHINGTON — More than 6.6 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week — doubling a record high set just one week earlier — a sign that layoffs are accelerating in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak.

VANCOUVER — The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says home sales started off strong in March but tapered as the COVID-19 outbreak intensified. It says that despite the slowdown, overall sales for the month were still up 46.

TORONTO — Canadian mining companies with assets in Mexico moved to suspend operations in the country as the Mexican government ordered non-essential businesses to close in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.

CALGARY — Cenovus Energy Inc. is temporarily suspending its dividend and cutting its capital spending plan by an additional $150 million on top of a reduction announced last month.