Bloomberg Canada’s retail sales unexpectedly fell and the inflation rate trailed forecasts, raising concern about the health of the country’s economic rebound. Retail sales fell 0.1 per cent in August, compared with forecasts for a 0.3 per cent gain. Consumer inflation accelerated for the first time in five months in September to 1.3 per cent, however the jump was …

  Bloomberg Alaska Air Group can’t complete its merger with Virgin America unless it gives at least seven days advance notice to the San Francisco federal court judge presiding over a consumer antitrust case contending the tie-up is anticompetitive. US District Judge William Alsup issued an order warning Alaska Air that “any consummation will be subject to divestiture,” meaning any …

  Bloomberg Canada’s banks could see their costs rise by as much as 30 basis points under government proposals that would force them to take on a greater share of mortgage defaults, as policy makers seek to engineer a soft landing in the country’s housing market. The estimates, contained in consultation documents released by the country’s finance department, outline two …