National Business

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index lost almost 200 points Wednesday amid a broad-based decline,while U.S. markets also posted losses, as investors fretted over stubbornly high inflation.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Wednesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (20,226.96, down 186.80 points): Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB). Energy. Down $2.85, or 5.92 per cent, to $45.31 on 19.1 million shares.

The Bank of Canada surprised almost no one when it held interest rates steady at five per cent Wednesday amid cooling economic data. Here's what you need to know about the decision, and what could be next.

NEW YORK — Stocks fell on Wall Street, continuing a weak stretch on this holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 fell 0.7% Wednesday. The Dow fell 198 points, or 0.6%, and the Nasdaq composite gave back 1.1%.

TORONTO — Inflation is driving more post-secondary students to stay home with their parents as they complete their studies — marking a shift from a decade ago, a poll published by RBC on Wednesday shows.

DETROIT (AP) — The head of the United Auto Workers warned Wednesday that the union plans to go on strike against any Detroit automaker that hasn't reached a new agreement by the time contracts expire next week.

TORONTO — Twenty-five global organizations, including news and publishing companies, have banded together to urge developers, operators and deployers of artificial intelligence (AI) systems to respect intellectual property rights.

OTTAWA — The Bank of Canada decided to hold its key interest rate steady on Wednesday amid mounting evidence the economy is slowing, but the central bank isn't declaring victory yet as it remains cautious to not fuel speculation about rate cuts.

TORONTO — Hudson's Bay says it is expanding its Zellers brand to even more of its department stores. The Toronto-based retailer says Zellers pop-ups will open within all Hudson's Bay stores that have not yet featured the discount chain.

OTTAWA — Lower shipments of gold and the B.C. port strike weighed on imports as Canada's merchandise trade deficit for July narrowed compared with June, Statistics Canada said Wednesday.