National Business

MONTREAL — MTY Food Group Inc. says it will postpone the collection of royalties from franchisees for four weeks as its stock plummeted amid decreased demand triggered by COVID-19.

NEW YORK — Stocks dropped 9% in early trading Monday on Wall Street as huge swaths of the economy come closer to shutting down, from airlines to restaurants.

NEW YORK — Authors James Patterson and Kwame Alexander are teaming up on a book for young people about Muhammad Ali.

TORONTO — An open letter from a group of Canada's top executives urged other business leaders across the country to make slowing the spread of COVID-19 their "singular objective.

CALGARY — Crescent Point Energy Corp. is cutting its capital spending plan by about 35 per cent and slashing is dividend due the recent drop in commodity prices. The company says its now plans $700 million to $800 million in capital spending.

BEIJING — Asian stock markets and U.S. futures fell Monday after the Federal Reserve slashed its key interest rate to shore up economic growth in the face of mounting global anti-virus controls that are shutting down business and travel.

Toronto's five prominent sports organizations have teamed together to create a special assistance fund for event staff affected by the suspension of all major sports in the city.

ROME — Daily life came to a grinding halt around much of the world Sunday amid new travel restrictions, border shutdowns and sweeping closures of restaurants and bars aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

CALGARY — The company that owns the Calgary Flames is reversing course, saying it will help part-time event staff who will be underemployed during the suspension of the NHL season.

TORONTO — Premier Doug Ford's office says the government is drafting legislation that would remove employers' ability to require sick notes for people in self-isolation or quarantine.