National Business

WASHINGTON — Stuck in the grip of a viral pandemic, the U.S. economy grew at a 4% annual rate in the final three months of 2020 and shrank last year by the largest amount in 74 years.

CALGARY — The association representing oilfield service companies is boosting its 2021 drilling forecast by 29 per cent thanks to a stronger commodity price outlook.

TORONTO — More rental properties sat empty in 2020, especially in the Greater Toronto Area where the vacancy rate hit a 14-year high, said Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — American whiskey absorbed some setbacks but showed resilience in the face of pandemic-related clampdowns on bars and restaurants as liquor sales benefited from enduring demand for a good stiff drink.

LONDON — Facebook’s quasi-independent oversight board issued its first rulings on Thursday, overturning four out of five decisions by the social network to take down questionable content.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Sales of new homes rose 1.6% in December after a big decline in November that was even worse than previously thought.

CALGARY — Growing numbers of Canadian investors are putting their money where their hearts are and finding that investing in companies that share their convictions can also deliver respectable returns.

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell but remained at a historically high 847,000 last week, a sign that layoffs keep coming as the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage.

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Newfoundland and Labrador's pandemic-battered tourism sector is getting some attention during the election campaign. Liberal Leader Andrew Furey on Wednesday visited the renowned beauty of St.

TOKYO — Asian shares skidded on Thursday as a reality check set in about longtime economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic, giving Wall Street its worst day since October. Benchmarks in Japan, South Korea, Australia and China declined Thursday.