National Business

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index was up more than 200 points to cap off Thursday's trading session, helped by strength in the technology sector, while U.S. stock markets also climbed amid U.S. corporate earnings.

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.'s decision to step away from a proposal to buy the Japanese parent company of 7-Eleven was being chalked up as a "missed opportunity" a day after it announced its pullback. Shares in the Laval, Que.

OTTAWA — The Bank of Canada and most other federal Crown corporations will be looking to trim their budgets over the coming years alongside a wider government effort to cut costs.

MONTREAL — Quebec restaurant owners can now charge a fee to people who make a reservation but don't show up. Under new rules in effect on Thursday, restaurants can charge up to $10 for each no-show.

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street rose to more records following some better-than-expected updates on the economy. The S&P 500 climbed 0.5% Thursday, beating the all-time high it set last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.

TORONTO — A new survey says financial help with a down payment is now essential for many homebuyers.

CALGARY — Canadian oil and gas drillers that import vast amounts of sand from the United States are getting relief from counter-tariffs that could have added heavy costs to industry.

Candy Ingram was hooked on garage sales from the first time her parents dragged her along to one.

QUÉBEC — New provincial statistics show Quebec's international merchandise exports rose in May, following two consecutive monthly declines. The figures released by Institut de la statistique du Québec show exports rose 1.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Consumers picked up their spending in June after an earlier pullback , despite anxiety over tariffs and the state of the U.S. economy . Retail sales rose a better-than-expected 0.