National Business

WASHINGTON (AP) — More Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, the largest number in four months, but the labor market remains strong in the face of persistent inflation and a slowing overall U.S. economy.

OTTAWA — As rising interest rates weigh on housing affordability, a new report suggests some relief may be on the horizon.

TORONTO — Canadians may see a jump in the number of businesses applying credit card use surcharges as restrictions on the practice lift today.

CALGARY — Suncor Energy Inc. says it is selling its wind and solar assets to Canadian Utilities Limited for $730 million.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the final papers Wednesday to annex four regions of Ukraine while his military struggled to control the new territory that was added in violation of international laws .

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Wednesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (19,235.09, down 135.90 points): Toronto-Dominion Bank. (TSX:TD). Financials. Down 51 cents, or 0.58 per cent, to $87.48 on 8.

TORONTO — Markets in Canada and the U.S. closed slightly down Wednesday following two days of optimism at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

TORONTO — Home sales plummeted in the region of Canada's largest city last month, down 44 per cent from last September and 10 per cent from the previous month at a time when the typically busy fall real estate season is usually getting started.

NEW YORK — Stocks ended slightly lower on Wall Street as a gangbuster two-day rally ran out of gas. The S&P 500 ended 0.2% lower Wednesday after briefly heading into the green late in the day.

Shopify Inc. and a group of textbook publishers, which accused the tech company of profiting from content that is pirated or infringes on their trademarks, have asked a U.S. court to dismiss the case.