National Business

WASHINGTON — U.S. consumer confidence rose in January as Americans became more optimistic about the future. The Conference Board reported Tuesday that its consumer confidence index increased to 89.3, a rebound from December when it dipped to 87.1.

If it wasn’t for the pandemic, Timon Wientziak probably wouldn’t be buying a car while living in downtown Toronto.

WASHINGTON — U.S. home prices jumped in November at the fastest pace in more than six years, fueled by demand for more living space as Americans stick closer to home during the pandemic. Home prices soared 9.

LOS ANGELES — Sophisticated hackers, identity thieves and overseas criminal rings stole over $11 billion in unemployment benefits from California last year, but the extent of the fraud might grow far larger: billions more in payments are under invest

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Monday approved President Joe Biden’s nomination of Janet Yellen to be the nation’s 78th treasury secretary, making her the first woman to hold the job in the department's 232-year history.

CALGARY — The head of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters says he expects "tough sledding" ahead for his members after U.S. President Joe Biden ordered more stringent Buy American rules for government spending.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Groups of youths confronted police in Dutch towns and cities Monday night, defying the country's coronavirus curfew and throwing fireworks.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Monday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (17,906.02, up 60.11 points.) BlackBerry Ltd. (TSX:BB). Technology. Up $5.06, or 28.33 per cent, to $22.92 on 26.3 million shares.

BlackBerry Ltd. said there weren't any major changes at the company on Monday, despite a trading frenzy that drove its share price to its highest level since October 2011. Toronto-listed shares rose as high as $26.

TORONTO — Enthusiasm for TFI International Inc. and BlackBerry Ltd. offset some investor concerns to push Canada's main stock index higher to start the week. The Montreal-based trucking firm and Waterloo, Ont.