National Business

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street closed higher following its first three-day losing streak since Halloween. The S&P 500 rose 0.8% Thursday and continued to hang near its highest level since March 2022. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.

OTTAWA — The recent surge in newcomers is adding to inflation through housing demand, a senior Bank of Canada official said Thursday, warning rental and home prices could continue to rise without a boost to housing supply.

TORONTO — A new survey suggests a little more than half of potential first-time homebuyers are interested in using a first home savings account, even though they don't know much about it.

The federal and Quebec agriculture and food ministers are calling on all members of the grocery industry supply chain to sign onto a code of conduct.

OTTAWA — A holiday spending plan is always a good idea, but as inflation pushes the cost of everything up and higher interest rates squeeze households, a budget is more important than ever.

U.S. applications for jobless benefits ticked up last week, but the overall number of people in the U.S. collecting unemployment benefits fell after hitting its highest level in two years last week.

TORONTO — Insurance company Intact Financial Corp. says its Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd. subsidiary has signed a deal to sell its U.K. home and pet insurance business to Admiral Group.

Food prices will keep rising in 2024, though at a slower pace, according to the latest Food Price Report.

MONTREAL — CN says it's acquiring Iowa Northern Railway, pending regulatory review. In a press release Wednesday, CN says it has signed and closed an agreement to acquire the railway, which serves upper Midwest agricultural and industrial markets.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Wednesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (20,274.21, down 101.72 points): Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (TSX:CNQ). Energy. Down $5.13, or 5.69 per cent, to $41.13 on 12.