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Economy

US weekly jobless claims edge lower

WASHINGTON – The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits slipped last week, while the jobless rate appeared to have held steady in March. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 224,000 for…

Economy

Brazil posts slightly wider-than-expected February budget deficit

BRASILIA -Brazil’s central government recorded a slightly wider-than-expected primary budget deficit in February, Treasury data showed on Thursday, although the result improved sharply from a year earlier, mainly due to lower expenditures. Latin America’s largest economy posted a deficit, excluding…

Economy

TSX ends flat as auto tariffs deter investor moves

Canada’s main stock index steadied on Thursday as an expanding global trade war discouraged investors from making new bets on the market, with gains for gold miners offsetting losses for auto parts and technology shares. Toronto Stock Exchange’s S&P/TSX composite…

U.S.

DOJ launches deregulatory task force

The U.S. Department of Justice launched a deregulatory task force on Thursday to advocate against regulations that could harm competition, especially in markets that affect consumers such as agriculture, housing, transportation, healthcare and energy. The DOJ’s Anticompetitive Regulations Task Force…

Economy

US goods trade deficit narrows in February

WASHINGTON – The U.S. trade deficit in goods narrowed in February amid a rise in exports, which could temper economists’ expectations for a sharp slowdown in economic growth in the first quarter. The goods trade deficit contracted 4.9% to $147.9…

Business

Walmart Mexico to invest $6 billion in 2025

MEXICO CITY  -Walmart’s Mexico unit said on Thursday it would invest more than $6 billion in the country this year, around triple its planned spending from the year before. The funds will go toward opening new stores and to continue…

Economy

US pending home sales rebound in February

WASHINGTON – Contracts to buy U.S. previously owned homes rebounded marginally in February amid a decline in mortgage rates but rising economic uncertainty could limit momentum. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) said on Thursday its Pending Home Sales Index,…