National Business

TORONTO — The self-regulatory organization that oversees investment dealers and their trading activity in Canada says a merger with the Mutual Fund Dealers Association would save as much as half a billion dollars over 10 years.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Sales of new homes jumped again in July, rising 13.9% as the housing market continues to gain traction following a spring downturn caused by pandemic-related lockdowns.

WASHINGTON — U.S. consumer confidence fell for the second consecutive month, sinking to the lowest levels in more than six years as a resurgence of COVID-19 infections in many parts of the country heightened pessimism.

TORONTO — Foodora Inc.'s parent company has reached a $3.46-million settlement with its former Canadian couriers after shutting down its delivery service in the country.

WASHINGTON — U.S. home prices rose at a slightly slower pace in June, but the U.S. housing market continued to show resilience in the face of the coronvavirus pandemic. The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller 20-city home price index rose 3.

TORONTO — BMO Financial Group put aside a hefty amount of money again to protect itself from bad loans, but still managed to beat expectations and post a $1.23-billion profit in its latest quarter.

TORONTO — Optimism in the wake of positive signs for relief from the pandemic-induced economic slump powered markets higher in both Canada and the United States on Monday.

TORONTO — Flight Centre Travel Group Inc. has reached a $7-million settlement in a proposed class action lawsuit against it by its Canadian travel agents.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Monday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (16,626.64, up 108.79 points) SOPerior Fertilizer Corp. (TSX:SOP). Materials. Up 0.5 cents, or 12.5 per cent, to 4.5 cents on 11.

TORONTO — The economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic will take longer than originally expected, with British Columbia among the provinces best positioned to rebound, the Conference Board of Canada suggests.