National Business

WASHINGTON (AP) — An inflation gauge favored by the Federal Reserve increased in January, the latest sign that the slowdown in U.S. consumer price increases is occurring unevenly from month to month .

TORONTO — Spin Master Corp. says it expects to face a challenging year in 2024 amid ongoing economic pressures on shoppers, but could see growth as it integrates U.S. toymaker Melissa & Doug following the closure of its acquisition.

CALGARY — Crescent Point Energy Corp. raised its quarterly base dividend by 15 per cent as it reported fourth-quarter net income of $951.2 million compared with a loss of $498.1 million a year earlier.

NEW YORK (AP) — Best Buy's shares rose on Thursday as the nation's largest consumer electronics chain posted a smaller-than-expected sales decline for the fiscal fourth quarter, signaling that the bottom of spending on gadgets may be in sight.

TORONTO — First Quantum Minerals Ltd. has completed two key financing deals to raise a total of more than US$2 billion that it plans to use to repay other debt and for general corporate purposes.

LONDON (AP) — You were walking next to a swimming pool when you slipped and dropped your phone into the water. Or it slipped out of your hand when you were next to a filled bathtub or toilet. However your smartphone got wet, you now need to dry it.

Electronic Arts is cutting about 5% of its workforce, or approximately 670 employees, as layoffs in the technology and gaming sector continue after a surge of hiring in recent years.

Two years ago, Ihor Weryha finally felt ready to retire. The Mississauga, Ont., resident had spent 40 years working in the petrochemical industry, most of which had been evenly split between two companies.

MONTREAL — Laurentian Bank of Canada reported a first-quarter profit of $37.3 million, down from $51.9 million a year earlier. The Montreal-based bank says the profit amounted to 75 cents per diluted share for the quarter ended Jan.

NEW YORK (AP) — Consumers will pay more for a flight to Florida or for a hotel room during peak vacation times.