National Business

More Americans applied for jobless benefits last week, but layoffs remain historically low even as more high-profile companies have announced job cuts this year.

WASHINGTON (AP) — An inflation gauge favored by the Federal Reserve increased in January, the latest sign that the slowdown in U.S. consumer price increases is occurring unevenly from month to month .

TORONTO — Spin Master Corp. says it expects to face a challenging year in 2024 amid ongoing economic pressures on shoppers, but could see growth as it integrates U.S. toymaker Melissa & Doug following the closure of its acquisition.

CALGARY — Crescent Point Energy Corp. raised its quarterly base dividend by 15 per cent as it reported fourth-quarter net income of $951.2 million compared with a loss of $498.1 million a year earlier.

HALIFAX — Highlights of the Nova Scotia government's provincial budget presented Thursday: — The province is bringing in a $16.5-billion budget, with a projected deficit of $467.4 million. --- — Health-care spending is expected to reach $7.

NEW YORK (AP) — Best Buy's shares rose on Thursday as the nation's largest consumer electronics chain posted a smaller-than-expected sales decline for the fiscal fourth quarter, signaling that the bottom of spending on gadgets may be in sight.

TORONTO — First Quantum Minerals Ltd. has completed two key financing deals to raise a total of more than US$2 billion that it plans to use to repay other debt and for general corporate purposes.

GATINEAU, Que. — The Competition Bureau says it's obtained a court order in an ongoing investigation into Google's advertising practices in Canada. The order requires Google to produce records and written information relevant to the investigation.

OTTAWA — Canada's public broadcaster is getting an increase in funding, despite executives' claims that they were asked to cut its budget for the next fiscal year. Documents from the Heritage Department show CBC will get a $1.

LONDON (AP) — You were walking next to a swimming pool when you slipped and dropped your phone into the water. Or it slipped out of your hand when you were next to a filled bathtub or toilet. However your smartphone got wet, you now need to dry it.