National Business

OTTAWA — After a series of historic interest rate hikes, economists are left wondering whether job losses are next. High interest rates cause businesses and consumers to pull back on spending.

TORONTO — Rent prices in Canada grew at a record pace last year as the country saw the lowest vacancy rate since 2001, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy expanded at a 2.9% annual pace from October through December, ending 2022 with momentum despite the pressure of high interest rates and widespread fears of a looming recession.

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks climbed Thursday to send Wall Street to its highest level in nearly eight weeks following reports suggesting the economy and corporate profits may be doing better than feared. The S&P 500 rose 1.

WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government is issuing a second round of cheques to help people deal with inflation in a move that critics say has more to do with boosting the governing Progressive Conservatives' chances in the next election.

Shares of Chevron climbed Thursday after the oil company announced that it would repurchase $75 billion of its stock, one of the largest-ever stock buyback plans.

CALGARY — Imperial Oil Ltd. is going ahead with a $720-million project to build a renewable diesel facility at its Strathcona refinery near Edmonton.

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says the number of job vacancies fell by 2.4 per cent in November to their lowest level since August 2021. The agency says the number of job vacancies across all sectors was down 20,700 at 850,300 for the month.

MONTREAL — National Bank of Canada says the head of its wealth management business is retiring.

TORONTO — Widespread inflation has led to some eye-popping meat prices, but dietitians say there are budget-friendly ways to get enough protein.