National Business

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index just barely stayed in the green Wednesday, while U.S. stock markets rose, with the S&P 500 flirting with the 5,000-point milestone. The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 11.44 points at 20,969.18.

MONTREAL — Despite hopes of a lull, inflation remains "omnipresent" across the supply chain of the Agropur dairy co-operative, its CEO says.

VANCOUVER — Finning International Inc. reported its fourth-quarter profit fell compared with a year ago as it was hit by a foreign exchange loss in Argentina due to government currency restrictions and a devaluation of the Argentine peso.

OTTAWA — The Bank of Canada isn't sure when it will be able to start cutting interest rates as it continues to contend with inflation that's still too high and broad-based, its summary of deliberations of its Jan. 24 rate decision reveals.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — ExxonMobil said it plans to explore for oil and gas in a disputed area off South America’s coast where the Venezuelan military had previously expelled two U.S. oil companies.

OTTAWA — Canada posted a merchandise trade deficit of $312 million in December, the first monthly trade deficit since July, as exports of cars and light trucks fell and lower oil prices weighed on energy shipments.

NEW YORK (AP) — Shares of New York Community Bancorp fell another 11% Wednesday after the bank's credit rating got downgraded to “junk” and investors worried that regional lender could suffer the same fate Silicon Valley Bank did last year.

NEW YORK (AP) — If you watch the Super Bowl for the commercials, you no longer have to wait until the big game to see what advertisers have in store for viewers.

MONTREAL — Laurentian Bank of Canada announced the appointment of three new members to its board of directors. Board chair Michael Boychuk says Johanne Brunet, Jamey Hubbs and Paul Stinis have joined the board, effective today.

MONTREAL — Héroux-Devtek Inc. reported a third-quarter profit of $9.0 million, up from $1.8 million a year earlier as its sales rose 16 per cent.