National Business

WASHINGTON — U.S. consumer confidence plunged in April as millions lost their jobs and there was an unprecedented deterioration of an index that monitors their attitudes about current business and work conditions.

WASHINGTON — U.S home prices were rising at a steady pace in February, before the viral outbreak shuttered much of the economy and caused a sharp decline in home sales. March sales of new and existing homes then plummeted as much of the U.S.

VANCOUVER — HSBC Bank Canada reported a drop in its first-quarter profit compared with a year ago as it took a charge related to bad loans it expects due to the downturn in the economy.

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil is emerging as potentially the next big hot spot for the coronavirus amid President Jair Bolsonaro’s insistence that it is just a "little flu” and that there is no need for the sharp restrictions that have slowed the infection

Boeing's CEO said Monday that it will take years for the aircraft-building business to return to levels seen before the coronavirus pandemic, which has slowed air travel to a trickle and led airlines to park 2,800 jets.

MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway Co. is withdrawing its profit forecast as uncertainty fostered by the COVID-19 pandemic tears up the transportation industry playbook.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Monday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (14,642.11, up 221.75 points.) Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY). Financials. Up $1.75, or 2.1 per cent, to $84.95 on 10.2 million share.

TORONTO — Food delivery app Foodora is closing its Canadian operations in May, just months after a key labour board decision laid the groundwork for the company's workers to push for unionization.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index started the trading week higher even though the price of oil futures plunged for a second consecutive Monday.

TORONTO — Ontario Premier Doug Ford released a broad outline Monday of how — but not when — the province's economy will reopen, while predicting there will never be a complete return to the old way of life.