National Business

SASKATOON, Sask. — Cameco Corp. increased its annual dividend as it reported a third-quarter profit attributable to equity holders of $7 million, down from $148 million a year ago.

The number of Americans applying for jobless aid ticked up last week but layoffs remain at historically low levels. The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claim applications rose by 3,000 to 221,000 for the week of Nov. 2.

The Canadian Institute for Health Information says health-care spending in Canada is projected to reach a new high in 2024. The annual report released Thursday says total health spending is expected to hit $372 billion, or $9,054 per Canadian.

Shares retreated in Asia early Thursday after U.S. stocks stormed to records as investors wagered on what Donald Trump’s return to the White House will mean for the economy and the world.

EDMONTON — The Alberta government is asking rural municipalities to send letters pointing the finger at specific oil and gas companies that aren't paying their property taxes -- but one rural leader says there's no hope for enforcement.

WINNIPEG — Great-West Lifeco Inc. says it earned $859 million in the third quarter, down from $905 million a year earlier. The insurer says base earnings, or adjusted earnings, for the quarter totalled $1.

SASKATOON, Sask. — Nutrien Ltd. says it earned US$25 million in the third quarter, down 70 per cent from US$82 million a year earlier. The Saskatoon-based company says sales for the quarter totalled US$5.35 billion, down from US$5.

MONTREAL — WSP Global Inc. says its third-quarter net earnings attributable to shareholders were $203.6 million, up from $156.2 million a year earlier. The Montreal-based company says revenues for the quarter were $3.98 billion, up from $3.

WINNIPEG — Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says he will continue to push the benefits of trade with the United States now that the election south of the border is over.

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market, Elon Musk’s Tesla , banks and bitcoin all stormed higher Wednesday as investors made bets on what Donald Trump’s return to the White House will mean for the economy and the world .