National Business

HALIFAX — Nova Scotia's utility regulator has defied the provincial government and approved an average 14 per cent increase in electricity rates over two years. Premier Tim Houston said last November that his government opposed the increase of 6.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Thursday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (20,740.44, down 10.61): Hut 8 Mining Corp. (TSX:HUT). Financials. Up 32 cents, or 11.11 per cent, to $3.20 on 10.9 million shares.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index shored itself up against losses in the energy sector for the second day in a row, while U.S. markets were mixed. The S&P/TSX composite index was down 10.61 points at 20,740.44.

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street closed higher, led by excitement around tech stocks and a surge for Facebook’s parent company, Meta Platforms. The S&P 500 rose 1.5% Thursday, a day after hitting its highest level since the summer.

MONTREAL — Dairy giant Saputo Inc. has announced sweeping changes to its U.S. operations, saying it will permanently close three facilities, build a new packaging facility and expand string cheese operations.

TORONTO — Nestle Canada's decision to pull its pizza and frozen meals from Canada over the next six months could leave a gap in supermarket freezers, a food expert says.

VANCOUVER — The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says January home sales were more than halved from the year before and down 21 per cent from December.

Less than a month after laying off 300 workers, Lightspeed Commerce Inc.'s chief executive says his company has plans to hire between 150 and 200 more staff.

LONDON (AP) — The Bank of England announced another “forceful” increase in interest rates Thursday, saying it was too soon to declare victory against inflation that has slowed slightly but is still fueling a cost-of-living crisis, public-sector strik

VerticalScope said it's laying off around 60 employees, or 22 per cent of the company's workforce.