National Business

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Warehouse retail chain Costco Wholesale said its fourth-quarter profits rose slightly from a year ago, its profits weighed by wage premiums paid to employees during the pandemic.

BERLIN — German factory orders rose more strongly than expected in January, a promising sign of strength in Europe's largest economy, official figures showed Friday. The Federal Statistical Office reported that industrial orders rose 1.

CALGARY — Drilling company Ensign Energy Services Inc. says oilpatch activity in its Canadian and U.S. operations is staging a slow recovery from a deep slump in 2020. The Calgary-based company says it earned net income of $3.

OTTAWA — January saw Canada post its first trade surplus since May 2019 as exports surged higher to start the year. Statistics Canada said Friday that the surplus of $1.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The level of imported goods to the U.S. in January reached unprecedented levels and pushed the trade deficit 1.9% higher as the coronavirus pandemic continues to distort global commerce.

TORONTO — HBC has signed a deal to sell a minority stake in Saks Fifth Avenue's e-commerce business and turn it into a separate company, a move that will "redefine the luxury shopping ecosystem," the company said Friday.

TORONTO — Many Canadians are getting a hand from gadgets meant to help keep fingers off high-touch surfaces, but Toronto's public health authority says people should be careful how they use them.

VAUGHAN, Ont. — Recipe Unlimited Corp. saw system sales fall more than 30 per cent in its most recent quarter as the pandemic continued to cause dining room closures and seating restrictions at its restaurant chains across Canada. The Vaughan, Ont.

BEIJING — China’s No. 2 leader set a healthy economic growth target Friday and vowed to make the nation self-reliant in technology amid tension with the U.S. and Europe over trade and human rights.

MONTREAL — The Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec and DP World have signed a US$1.2-billion deal to start the construction of an international container port and industrial logistics park in Indonesia.