National Business

DUBAI CITY, United Arab Emirates — President Donald Trump said Thursday that he expects Saudi Arabia and Russia will dramatically cut production and end an oil war that sent energy prices to record lows.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Thursday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (13,097.76, up 221.36 points.) Cenovus Energy Inc. (TSX:CVE). Energy. Up 63 cents, or 23.16 per cent, to $3.35 on 28.3 million shares.

CALGARY — Budget cuts in the western Canadian oil and gas sector are hitting home for front-line workers who are facing smaller paycheques as well as an ever-increasing risk of being laid off. On Thursday, oilsands producer Cenovus Energy Inc.

TORONTO — Creators of the freshly minted subscription streaming platform Quibi had a tough sell on their hands even before the COVID-19 pandemic spiralled us into uncertain financial times.

Home sales in the Vancouver region were strong for the first half of March, but started to taper as the COVID-19 outbreak intensified, the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver said Thursday.

Andy Hunter, founder of a new online sales outlet for independent booksellers, had seen a crisis building well before the coronavirus pandemic shut down many of the country's stores.

WASHINGTON — More than 6.6 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week — doubling a record high set just one week earlier — a sign that layoffs are accelerating in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak.

NEW YORK — The popcorn will be bring your own and the barbecue won't be as good, but the Austin, Texas, SXSW Film Festival is moving online after having its 27th edition cancelled by the coronavirus pandemic.

TORONTO — The biggest market downturn in more than a decade has rattled nerves and may ultimately force some investors to postpone their approaching retirements, say experts.

TORONTO — When Robert Prichard welcomed shareholders to Bank of Montreal’s annual general meeting on Tuesday, it was the first time the company's board chairman had done so without standing before shareholders in person.