National Business

TORONTO — DesRosiers Automotive Consultants say used car sales increased five per cent last year amid semiconductor shortages that hampered the new car market and drove buyers to used car lots.

LONGUEUIL, Que. — Héroux-Devtek Inc. is reporting a major drop in profit and revenue last quarter due to supply chain disruptions brought on by the Omicron variant of COVID-19. The landing-gear manufacturer says delayed deliveries and snags at its U.

CALGARY — In Canada's largest oil and gas producing province, investors who have been made wealthy by the energy sector are starting to open their pockets to a budding local tech industry.

VANCOUVER — Boston Pizza International Inc. reported fourth-quarter profit fell to $12.6 million compared with $19.6 million a year ago as the company continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on the restaurant industry.

SASKATOON — Cameco Corp. raised its annual dividend as it reported its fourth-quarter profit and revenue fell compared with a year ago. The uranium miner says it will now pay an annual dividend of 12 cents per share, up from eight cents per share.

BEIJING (AP) — Asian stocks rose Wednesday after Wall Street rebounded as investors waited for U.S. inflation data that might influence the pace of Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. Shanghai, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Sydney advanced.

CALGARY — A major business group has slammed the Alberta government's decision to eliminate a proof-of-vaccine program, calling it "akin to ripping the Band-Aid off before the wound has healed.

VICTORIA — Premier John Horgan says British Columbia won't be pressured by "honking horns" to lift the province's COVID-19 public health restrictions. "People want to put COVID behind them.

MONTREAL — Stingray Group Inc. says its net income fell to $12.6 million in its latest quarter despite an increase in revenues with a gradual easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress would lift onerous budget requirements that have helped push the Postal Service deeply into debt and would require it to continue delivering mail six days per week under bipartisan legislation the House approved Tuesday.