National Business

OTTAWA — Canada posted a merchandise trade deficit of $137 million in December to end a run of six consecutive monthly surpluses, but finished the year with an annual surplus for the first time since 2014.

CALGARY — Petronas Energy Canada Ltd. has announced a leadership change.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The Dutch government appointed a commissioner Tuesday to tackle sexual abuse and intimidation, after recent high-profile #MeToo cases shocked the European Union nation.

TORONTO — Sally Phuong took a four-week sabbatical from her job as an account executive at Sun Life Financial last year so she could participate in a professional floral design program at the Canadian Institute of Floral Design in Toronto.

TORONTO — Aimia Inc. has signed a deal worth up to $517 million to sell its 48.9 per cent equity stake in PLM, the owner and operator of Mexican loyalty program Club Premier. The sale will see PLM become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aeromexico.

NEW YORK — The co-founder of Peloton is stepping down as chief executive after an extended streak of tumult at the exercise and treadmill company.

TORONTO — Thomson Reuters Corp. raised its quarterly dividend as it reported a loss in its latest quarter due to a lower operating profit and a drop in value of the company's London Stock Exchange Group investment.

LONDON (AP) — Britain's government said Tuesday all pornography websites will be legally required to verify that users are 18 or older as part of new online safety rules.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden's top science adviser Dr. Eric Lander resigned Monday, hours after the White House confirmed that an internal investigation found credible evidence that he mistreated his staff.

TORONTO — TMX Group Ltd. says it's boosting its quarterly dividend eight per cent after reporting a strong end to its fiscal year.