National Business

OTTAWA — One year after the Bank of Canada's aggressive rate hike cycle began, economists widely expect the central bank will stick to its plan of holding its key interest rate steady at its next scheduled announcement.

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong firefighters battled a huge blaze Friday that broke out overnight at a construction site in a popular shopping district and forced 170 people in nearby buildings to evacuate.

BEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets followed Wall Street higher Friday after a Federal Reserve official raised hopes the U.S. central bank might not step up its anti-inflation fight as much as feared. Shanghai, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Sydney advanced.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — “If I hadn’t been a girl, I’d have been a drag queen.” Dolly Parton has uttered those words famously and often.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Thursdayon the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (20,337.21, up 77.43): Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU). Energy. Up 55 cents, or 1.18 per cent, to $47.29 on 17.4 million shares.

TORONTO — TD Bank Group's profits fell in the first quarter, following what's proved to be a trend among big banks in the quarter as they set aside more money for potentially tougher economic conditions ahead.

"Despite our best efforts, we do not see a realistic path to profitability for the Canadian business."

Canada's main stock index got a lift from rising U.S. markets Thursday, closing higher in spite of weakness in the financials sector. The S&P/TSX composite index was up 77.43 points at 20,337.21.

Canada's biggest bookstore chain is warning employees that data stolen in a cyberattack may be posted on the so-called dark web after it refused to pay a ransom demand. Indigo Books & Music Inc.

CALGARY — Alberta's finance minister says he would like to see a panel formed within the next year and a half to address the province's often volatile revenue structure.