National Business

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index gained more than 200 points Friday on broad-based strength led by base metals, industrials and telecom stocks, while U.S. markets also rose.

NEW YORK — Stocks gained ground on Wall Street as the market comes off its best month in more than a year. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% Friday, marking its fifth straight week of gains.

CALGARY — The Calgary Real Estate Board says the city saw 1,787 home sales in November, marking an 8.8 per cent increase compared with the same month last year as the ratio of sales to new listings remained high at 80 per cent.

TORONTO — Fewer employees and more money set aside for bad loans were two of the dominant themes of Canadian bank earnings this past quarter as they prepared for whatever may come next year.

OTTAWA — Canada's unemployment rate continues to trend higher as the Bank of Canada's steep interest rate hikes weigh down the economy leaves workers with fewer options in the job market.

Walmart Canada says it will invest nearly $1 billion this fiscal year on a slew of projects meant to modernize the retail giant's Canadian footprint. The spending will include more than $300 million for store remodels and renovations.

TORONTO — BMO Financial Group said Friday it expects higher cost savings from its US$16.3 billion Bank of the West acquisition as part of a wider focus on efficiencies to weather the economic slowdown.

When consumers think about ways to reduce their carbon footprint, lowering their car usage, eating fewer animal products and reducing their waste likely come to mind. But there’s another, perhaps easier, way to cut your emissions: delete old emails.

SMITHS FALLS, Ont. — Canopy Growth Corp. says the aggregate gross proceeds from selling off its sports drink business total $30.4 million. The Smiths Falls, Ont.

TORONTO — First Quantum Minerals Ltd. says it has started arbitration proceedings to protect its rights at its Cobre Panama mine which has been the subject of environmental protests.