National Business

TORONTO — Losses in the tech sector helped lead Canada's main stock index lower in early trading, while U.S. stock markets were mixed. The S&P/TSX composite index was down 82.41 points at 18,339.19.

MONTREAL — Laurentian Bank Financial Group beat expectations as it reported a first-quarter profit rose compared with a year ago even as its provision for credit losses edged higher. The Montreal-based bank says it earned $44.

TORONTO — The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board says the housing market remained on fire in February with the average price surpassing $1 million for the first time. The real estate board says February home sales reached 10,970, a 52.

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas is lifting its mask mandate, Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday, making it the largest state to no longer require one of the most effective ways to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

CANBERRA, Australia — Rio Tinto chairman Simon Thompson said Wednesday he was accountable for the mining giant destroying sacred Indigenous sites in Australia to access iron ore and he will not seek reelection as a board director next year.

WASHINGTON — The Senate voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to confirm Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo to serve as President Joe Biden’s commerce secretary and help guide the economy's recovery during and after the coronavirus pandemic. The vote was 84-15.

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Tuesday the U.S.

EDMONTON — Alberta’s health minister says the province is considering whether to follow British Columbia in extending the time between COVID-19 vaccine doses.

NEW YORK — Target will plow $4 billion into its business each year for the next several years to redo its stores, add new ones and speed up delivery as the discounter aims to keep up with increasingly demanding shoppers shaped by the pandemic.

MONTREAL — Residential sales in metropolitan Montreal fell in February for the first time in six years as transactions plunged outside Quebec's largest city.