National Business

MONTREAL — BCE Inc. executives said Thursday that they are beginning to see early signs that customers are getting ready to emerge from COVID-19 restrictions and Bell Canada is in good position to respond.

AURORA, Ont. — Magna International Inc. says its first quarter earnings were down significantly from last year as the company was hit by factory shutdowns across its global operations. The autoparts maker, which reports in U.S.

TORONTO — Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd. reported a loss in its latest quarter as sales fell due to the steps taken to slow the spread of COVID-19, including the temporary closure of its SportChek and Mark's stores.

Every few days Nicolette Novak is paralyzed with worry about how to keep her winery going during the COVID-19 pandemic. Novak is the owner of Good Earth Food and Wine Co., a small winery in Beamsville, Ont.

CALGARY — Frontera Energy Corp. says it has suspended its dividends, withdrawn its guidance for the year and won't repurchase shares because of difficult operating conditions. The Calgary-based oil producer says it lost nearly $388 million or $4.

MONTREAL — WSP Global Inc. saw profits fall by 77 per cent last quarter amid "extreme market volatility" triggered by the COVID-19 crisis. Net income dropped to $14.

CALGARY — Parkland Fuel Corp. says it saw a $79-million loss in the first quarter. The Calgary-based company says that equalled a loss of 53 cents per diluted share, compared with a profit of 52 cents per share or $77 million a year earlier.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Wednesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (14,830.74, up 19.18 points.) Freegold Ventures Ltd. (TSX:FVL). Materials. Up nine cents, or 112.5 per cent, to 17 cents on 26.

TORONTO — Spin Master Corp. says it had a net loss of US$26.7 million in the first quarter as it struggled with supply chain issues and the COVID-19 outbreak. The company, which reports in U.S.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index inched higher midweek as Shopify Inc. overtook the Royal Bank of Canada to become the country's most valuable company thanks in part to a boom in online shopping while Canadians adopt physical distancing.