National Business

BEIJING — China’s leaders are vowing to make their country a self-reliant “technology power” as a feud with Washington cuts access to U.S. computer chips and other high-tech components, hampering Beijing’s industrial ambitions.

TORONTO — Aecon Group Inc. beat expectations as its net profit surged to $73.6 million in the third quarter as it was helped by the federal wage subsidy program.

The days of airlines blocking seats to make passengers feel safer about flying during the pandemic are coming closer to an end. JetBlue is the latest to indicate it is rethinking the issue.

MONTREAL — Bombardier's refocusing on business jets has taken another step forward with Alstom shareholders giving the green light to its US$8.4-billion purchase of the Quebec company's railway division.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Thursday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (15,670.70 up 84.13 points.) Husky Energy Inc. (TSX:HSE). Energy. Down seven cents, or 1.96 per cent, to $350 on 14.3 million shares.

TORONTO — North American stock markets partially rebounded from Wednesday's correction on a broad-based rally even though crude oil prices hit their lowest level in about five months.

A group representing Canadian insurance companies has launched a team that will help small businesses find affordable coverage as rates rise during the pandemic, but critics expressed skepticism over the move.

TORONTO — Demand for space in prime office towers and shopping malls has plunged because the pandemic suddenly turned them into places that customers and tenants "don't even want to go to," RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust's veteran chief executiv

U.S. stocks shook off an early slide and closed broadly higher Thursday as the market steadied after its worst drop in more than four months. The S&P 500 rose 1.2%, bouncing back from a drop of 0.3% in the early going.

Small business confidence appears to be an inverse function of the COVID-19 case count, with a new report finding the outlook of entrepreneurs fell in October just as the pandemic's second wave tracked upward.