National Business

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index reversed early losses to close higher Friday on signs of a quicker economic recovery that sent crude oil prices to a near two-year high. The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 255.24 points to 18,380.

VICTORIA — Tax changes targeting sugary drinks and e-commerce services based outside of B.C. will come into effect on April 1 after being delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The B.C.

TORONTO — Frustrations stemming from COVID-19 travel restrictions boiled over during a conference call Thursday when top executives at auto parts manufacturer Martinrea derided the health measures, saying it's "time to move on" and recognize the "goo

BRUSSELS — In a sign of goodwill to rebuild trans-Atlantic relations, the European Union and the United States have decided to suspend tariffs used in the longstanding Airbus-Boeing dispute, the EU Commission president said Friday.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Warehouse retail chain Costco Wholesale said its fourth-quarter profits rose slightly from a year ago, its profits weighed by wage premiums paid to employees during the pandemic.

BERLIN — German factory orders rose more strongly than expected in January, a promising sign of strength in Europe's largest economy, official figures showed Friday. The Federal Statistical Office reported that industrial orders rose 1.

CALGARY — Drilling company Ensign Energy Services Inc. says oilpatch activity in its Canadian and U.S. operations is staging a slow recovery from a deep slump in 2020. The Calgary-based company says it earned net income of $3.

OTTAWA — January saw Canada post its first trade surplus since May 2019 as exports surged higher to start the year. Statistics Canada said Friday that the surplus of $1.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The level of imported goods to the U.S. in January reached unprecedented levels and pushed the trade deficit 1.9% higher as the coronavirus pandemic continues to distort global commerce.

TORONTO — HBC has signed a deal to sell a minority stake in Saks Fifth Avenue's e-commerce business and turn it into a separate company, a move that will "redefine the luxury shopping ecosystem," the company said Friday.