National Business

LAVAL, Que. — Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. is dropping its pursuit of Caltex Australia Ltd. due to the COVID-19 crisis. The company had been working on a revised takeover bid after an earlier offer was rebuffed.

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada reports wholesale sales rose 0.7 per cent to $67.5 billion in February, even as sales were hurt by rail blockades and the early effects of COVID-19. Economists had expected a decline of 0.

NEW YORK — The much-hyped battle between Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds and Teddy Riley was derailed by audio issues, forcing the R&B producers to postpone the Instagram Live event.

Campbell Soup Company's production goes into overdrive during what executives dub "soup season." Starting in October and ending with the close of winter, Campbell's manufacturing centres run non-stop, staffed by extra employees.

CALGARY — Nick Zannis is thankful his greenhouse established online sales five years ago, now that the retail world has been turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic.

TORONTO — Five things to watch for in the Canadian business world in the coming week: CP Rail earnings Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. will release first-quarter results after markets close on Tuesday. CP and rival Canadian National Railway Co.

Paul O’Neill, a former Treasury secretary who broke with George W. Bush over tax policy and then produced a book critical of the administration, died Saturday. He was 84. O’Neill’s son, Paul O’Neill Jr.

CALGARY — ConocoPhillips says it plans to cut production at its Surmont oilsands operation in northern Alberta due to low oil prices until market conditions improve.

REGINA — The Saskatchewan government predicted Friday that the economic fallout from COVID-19 could reduce the province's revenues by up to $3.3 billion.

TORONTO — North American markets closed the week up with a late-day surge, while the loonie rose against the U.S. dollar.