National Business

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.

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.

Shoppers are facing empty shelves at some stores due to unprecedented demand for food and other goods even as grocers assure Canadians coping with the COVID-19 outbreak that plenty of new items are on the way and manufacturers say they have the raw m

BEIJING — Asian stocks were meandering Thursday after a White House warning that as many as 240,000 Americans might die of the coronavirus sent Wall Street tumbling and signs of the outbreak's global economic cost increased.

TORONTO — DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc. says auto sales plunged 48 per cent in March from last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

OTTAWA — Shopify Inc. says it is suspending its financial outlook for the year because of the uncertainty stemming from COVID-19.

MONTREAL — The former head of Energir will be the first woman to become chief executive of Hydro-Quebec. Sophie Brochu takes over for Eric Martel on Monday, the same day he becomes chief executive of Bombardier Inc., replacing Alain Bellemare.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Wednesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (12,861.93, down 516.82 points.) TC Energy Corp. (TSX:TRP). Down $4.69, or 7.5 per cent, to $57.86 on 15.1 million shares.