National Business

TORONTO — Intact Financial Corp. has signed a deal to buy two specialty insurers in a move that gives it a foothold in the market for wealthy clients, part of a broader push among financial services firms toward high-net-worth customers.

VANCOUVER — A financial services organization in British Columbia is forecasting modest but slower growth for the province through 2022. Central 1 says economic growth in B.C. should remain just above two per cent over the next 28 months.

Halifax-based Irving Shipbuilding Inc. has been awarded a $500-million federal contract to carry out maintenance work for the Royal Canadian Navy.

Canadian home sale rose in July in broad gains as markets start to recover from the stress test tightening last year, though economists say global concerns raise some uncertainties for the future.

NEW YORK — Walmart offered a dose of optimism amid growing concerns over weakening economic growth by raising its annual outlook after a strong second quarter. Sales at stores opened at least a year rose 2.

CALGARY — In a video taken through the windshield of Dung Le's 15-year-old Toyota Echo, an oncoming car breaks the monotony of a wide, nearly empty street on a quiet August morning in a sprawling residential Edmonton neighbourhood.

WASHINGTON — U.S. productivity increased at a decent pace in the second quarter, a trend that could lead to higher wages if it continues. The Labor Department said Thursday that productivity — or output per hour worked — rose 2.

BEIJING — China on Thursday threatened retaliation if Washington steps up their war over trade and technology by going ahead with planned Sept. 1 tariff hikes on additional Chinese imports.

BEIJING — Global stock markets were mostly lower Thursday after Wall Street fell on mounting fears of a possible recession.

SMITH FALLS, Ont. — Canopy Growth Corp. reported a net loss of nearly $1.3 billion as higher expenses offset revenue growth in the first quarter. Canopy reported Wednesday it lost $1.