National Business

TORONTO — Brookfield Asset Management Inc. raised its dividend as it reported a fourth-quarter profit of US$1.8 billion, up from US$1.6 billion a year earlier. The asset manager, which keeps its books in U.S.

HALIFAX — Canadians are expected to spend less this Valentine’s Day as COVID-19 lockdowns and ongoing economic uncertainty dampens consumer enthusiasm for the February mass-market holiday, retail experts say.

LOS ANGELES — Lucasfilm says Gina Carano is no longer a part of “The Mandalorian” cast after many online called for her firing over a social media post that likened the experience of Jews during the Holocaust to the U.S. political climate.

EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, responding to two of his United Conservative caucus members who are openly challenging his government's COVID-19 economic lockdown rules, says it’s a matter of free speech.

HIGHLANDS, N.J. — Bruce Springsteen is facing a drunken driving charge in New Jersey, prompting Jeep to put on pause the Super Bowl television commercial that features him. Springsteen was arrested Nov.

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — Russel Metals says it lost more money in the fourth quarter than in the same period in 2019. The Mississauga-based company says it had a net loss of $9 million in the three months that ended Dec.

TORONTO — Merck Mercuriadis is holding a Canadian treasure in his hands. Deep into a conversation about the future of the music industry, the head of the Hipgnosis Songs Fund steps away from his webcam to pull a vinyl record from his shelf.

TORONTO — Manulife Financial Corp. says its fourth-quarter profits rose 45 per cent from a year ago, as gains from interest rates and bond sales offset lower volumes of new business during the COVID-19 pandemic last year.

TORONTO — Sun Life Financial Inc. beat expectations as it reported that fourth-quarter profits grew 3.5 per cent to $744 million, up from $719 million in the same quarter a year earlier.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Wednesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (18,457.78, up 49.16 points.) The Supreme Cannabis Co. Inc. (TSX:FIRE). Health care. Up seven cents, or 16.