National Business

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits declined for the third straight week. Jobless claims fell by 16,000 to 223,000 last week, from 239,000 the previous week, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

TORONTO — Brookfield Asset Management Inc. raised its dividend as it reported its fourth-quarter profit rose compared with a year earlier. The alternative asset manager, which keeps its books in U.S.

TORONTO — Manulife Financial Corp. says it earned record profits last year as fourth-quarter net income increased 17 per cent to $2.08 billion.

Amid delivery backlogs and bottlenecked ports, trucker blockades at U.S. border crossing points have added more pressure to an already overloaded supply chain, with the food and automotive sectors particularly vulnerable.

REGINA — Colin Hall's business was one of the first in Saskatchewan to require customers to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination last summer.

TORONTO — The Ontario Court of Appeal has dismissed efforts by the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce to overturn a ruling in an overtime class-action lawsuit filed more than a decade ago.

TORONTO — Sun Life Financial Inc. capped off a strong year with net income soaring 45 per cent to $1.08 billion in the fourth quarter, largely driven by the IPO of its India asset management joint venture.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Snoop Dogg has taken over a popular record label that launched his stellar career.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Wednesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (21,604.19, up 227.01 points.) Bombardier Inc. (TSX:BBD.B). Industrials. Up 11 cents, or 6.5 per cent, to $1.80 on 13.7 million shares.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index rose to its highest level since late November as risk appetite improved ahead of Thursday's key U.S. inflation numbers.