National Business

WASHINGTON — U.S. new home sales plunged 15.4% in March as the coronavirus-related shutdowns that began in the middle of the month began to rattle the housing market.

TOKYO — Asian shares rose moderately Thursday following a rally on Wall Street and even oil prices recovering from their recent plunge to zero. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 added 1.2% to 19,370.

WASHINGTON — For weeks, the Trump administration played up the dangers of the coronavirus as it sought to convince Americans to disrupt their lives and stay home.

CALGARY — WestJet Airlines Ltd. says it will lay off 3,000 people and cancel more than 4,000 domestic flights weekly in May as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to hammer the airline industry.

OMAHA, Neb. — CSX Corp. said Wednesday that its first-quarter profit slipped 8% and the railroad withdrew its outlook for the year because of the ongoing economic uncertainty brought on by the coronavirus outbreak.

CALGARY — Trucking, logistics and oilfield services firm Mullen Group Ltd. says it has temporarily laid off about 1,000 people because of the impact of measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic.

The biggest and most profitable U.S. airline just posted its first quarterly loss in more than five years. Now things are going to get really bad. Delta Air Lines Inc.

Luxury parka maker Canada Goose Holdings Inc. has announced plans to switch to reclaimed fur in its coats, a move the company says is "not about animal activists" who have fought the company's use of animal products for years.

EDMONTON — Alberta's public pension manager has lost millions after investing in smaller energy companies at a time when the entire sector is in decline, an analysis has found.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Wednesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (14,288.16, up 348.10 points.) StageZero Life Sciences Ltd. (TSX:SZLS). Health care. Unchanged at 13.5 cents on 25.9 million shares.