National Business

SILVER SPRING, Md. — U.S. consumer confidence dipped slightly in October as a new wave of coronavirus cases appeared across the country. The Conference Board reported Tuesday that its consumer confidence index fell to a reading of 100.9, from 101.

WASHINGTON — Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket manufactured goods rose a stronger-than-expected 1.9% in September with a key category that tracks business investment showing a solid gain as well. The uptick in orders followed a smaller 0.

WASHINGTON — U.S. home prices posted a robust gain in August — another sign that the American housing market remains strong despite economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

Shares skidded in Asia on Tuesday after surging coronavirus cases and waning hopes for U.S. economic stimulus gave Wall Street its worst day in a month. Stock benchmarks fell in Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Sydney.

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky’s governor is urging people in the state’s counties hit hardest by the pandemic to take stricter steps to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Gov.

BEIJING — China has ordered six U.S.-based news media to file detailed information about their operations in China the latest volley in a monthslong battle with the Trump administration.

CALGARY — MEG Energy Corp. beat expectations as it posted its third consecutive quarter of net losses on a 44-per-cent drop in revenues caused by lower bitumen production and realized prices.

VANCOUVER — West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. says it swung to a large profit in the third quarter on higher lumber prices. The Vancouver-based forestry company says it earned $350 million or $5.09 per share for the three months ended Sept.

CALGARY — PrairieSky Royalty Ltd. says its oil and gas revenue and net earnings staged a rebound in the third quarter ending Sept. 30 as oil prices recovered from pandemic-related lows.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Monday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (16,079.5, down 224.53 points.) Cenovus Energy Inc. (TSX:CVE). Energy. Down 41 cents, 8.4 per cent, to $4.47 on 21 million shares.