National Business

The Bank of Canada raised its overnight rate by half a percentage point to 1.5 per cent Wednesday and signalled more increases to come, as it aims to curb out-of-control inflation, which is now at its highest level in 30 years.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The white-hot demand for U.S. workers cooled a bit in April, though the number of unfilled jobs remains high and companies are still desperate to hire more people. Employers advertised 11.

OTTAWA — Restaurant and bar sales in this country have surpassed their pre-COVID-19 levels for the first time since the pandemic began, according to Statistics Canada.

CALGARY — Vermilion Energy Inc. says it has completed its acquisition of Leucrotta Exploration Inc. Calgary-based Vermilion said in March that it would acquire the junior energy company in a deal worth $477 million.

MONTREAL — CAE Inc. says its net profit attributable to shareholders soared last quarter as revenues increased even excluding ventilators sold to the Canadian government last year for people suffering from COVID-19.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Tuesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (20,729.34, down 190.06 points.) Arc Resources Ltd. (TSX:ATX). Energy. Down 51 cents, or 2.6 per cent, to $19.05 on 54.7 million shares.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index snapped a seven-day winning streak to close a volatile month slightly lower a day before an expected Bank of Canada interest rate hike.

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks ended lower after another wobbly day on Wall Street Tuesday, closing out a rocky month. The S&P 500 fell 0.6%, having recouped about half of its loss from earlier.

OTTAWA — Economists say the Bank of Canada is still on track for another oversized rate hike on Wednesday after the latest Statistics Canada data showed the pace of economic growth slowed in the first quarter.

TORONTO — Gold Fields Ltd. has signed a deal to buy Yamana Gold Inc. in an deal valued at US$6.7 billion. The companies say the deal will bring together two complementary gold portfolios. Under the agreement, Yamana shareholders will receive 0.