National Business

MONTREAL — Laurentian Bank Financial Group missed expectations as it reported its first-quarter profit fell to $32.2 million compared with $40.3 million in the same quarter a year earlier.

Global stock markets plunged further Friday on spreading fears over the impact of the new coronavirus, with some indexes set to close out their worst week since the depths of the financial crisis in 2008.

TORONTO — Trading abruptly ended Thursday afternoon on the Toronto Stock Exchange and several other TMX Group Ltd. markets after the company suspended the exchanges due to what it says were technical issues.

LOS ANGELES — NBC is giving three-year renewals to its drama series from veteran producer Dick Wolf, including the perennial “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

WINDSOR, Ont. — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is cutting the third shift at its Windsor Assembly Plant beginning June 29. The automaker says it notified Unifor Thursday about the change that will affect about 1,500 employees.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 2.1% in the final quarter of last year, but damage from the spreading coronavirus is likely depressing growth in the current quarter and for the rest of the year.

NEW YORK — Health officials confronted tough questions and doubts Thursday about testing to intercept the fast-spreading virus, with scrutiny focused on a four-day delay in screening an infected California woman despite her doctors’ early calls to do

The head of Canada’s largest port says the novel coronavirus is eating into trade following a year that saw cargo volumes dip.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index plunged for a fifth straight day before trading was prematurely halted while U.S. markets were in correction territory on the path to their worst weekly performance since the financial crisis.

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — Maple Leaf Foods Inc. increased its dividend as it anticipates profitable growth this year from its meat operations and revenues increasing by 30 per cent from its plant protein group.