National Business

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell last week to a new low point since the pandemic erupted, evidence that layoffs are declining as companies hold onto workers.

TORONTO — CI Financial Corp. has signed a deal to buy U.S. wealth management firm McCutchen Group LLC. Financial terms of the agreement were not immediately available. Seattle-based McCutchen Group has US$3.4 billion in assets under management.

TORONTO — A Retail Council of Canada survey says Canadians are planning to spend more this holiday season as they prepare to return to stores in greater numbers a year after the COVID-19 pandemic prompted many to shop online.

NEW DELHI (AP) — India has administered 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine, officials said Thursday, passing a milestone for the South Asian country where the delta variant fueled its first crushing surge earlier this year.

CALGARY — One of the Australian companies that had proposed bringing coal mining back to the eastern slopes of Alberta's Rocky Mountains now says it may build a green hydrogen facility on the site instead. Montem Resources Ltd.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Wednesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (21,188.19, up 101.20 points.) The Royal Bank of Canada. (TSX:RY). Financials. Up 58 cents, or 0.44 per cent, to $132.14 on 12.

OTTAWA — Business groups in Canada are warning that ending federal pandemic-relief programs too soon could send shock waves through the economy.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index moved further into record territory as shares of country's railways climbed and offset the impact of inflation rising in September at its fastest pace in 18 years. Canadian National Railway Co.

TORONTO — Crave is digging into the vaults of Bollywood cinema as it looks to stock its digital library with more international fare.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve reports that the economy faced a number of headwinds at the start of this month, ranging from supply chain disruptions and labor shortages to uncertainty about the delta variant of COVID.