National Business

TORONTO — The energy and financials sectors lifted Canada's main stock index to start 2022 on anticipation that the Omicron variant will carry less of a punch despite rising infections. The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 13.

SASKATOON — The head of fertilizer giant Nutrien Ltd. has stepped down after less than nine months on the job.

TORONTO — Canadian defined-benefit pension plans are in stronger positions to withstand the potential challenges ahead from the Omicron variant after performing well in 2021, a pair of industry reports say.

CALGARY — The Calgary Real Estate Board says December sales climbed by nearly 45 per cent year-over-year as 2021 ended with a record number of homes changing hands.

SAN JOSE, Calif.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Growth in U.S. manufacturing slowed in December to an 11-month low with companies still combating supply chain problems.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A record 4.5 million American workers quit their jobs in November, a sign of confidence and more evidence that the U.S. job market is bouncing back strongly from last year's coronavirus recession.

A U.S. judge is allowing a class-action lawsuit claiming BlackBerry Ltd. defrauded investors by misleading them about the success of its BB10 devices to move forward.

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — OPEC and allied oil-producing countries decided Tuesday to pump more oil to the world economy amid hope that travel and demand for fuel will hold up despite the rapid spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19 .

TORONTO — As soon as Christina Mychas began making money in her career, she increased her spending so that she could upgrade her lifestyle.