Manufacturing sales edge up 0.1 per cent in July, below expectations
by The Canadian Press
Sales rose in 54 per cent of the manufacturing sector, though not as much as economists had predicted
Manufacturing sales ticked up to $50.7 billion in July, below economists’ predictions
OTTAWA—Statistics Canada says manufacturing sales were below expectations in July, edging up 0.1 per cent to $50.7 billion.
Economists had expected a gain of 1.0 per cent, according to Thomson Reuters.
On a constant-dollar basis, sales increased 0.6 per cent, indicating that a higher volume of goods was sold in July.
Sales were up in nine of 21 industries, representing about 54 per cent of the manufacturing sector.
The food industry gained 1.9 per cent to $8.5 billion in July, while the primary metals industry grew by 2.9 per cent to $3.7 billion.
Sales of petroleum and coal products climbed 2.5 per cent to $4.3 billion.
However, the aerospace product and parts industry fell 9.0 per cent to $1.5 billion in July for a second consecutive monthly decline. Machinery sales fell 3.3 per cent to $2.6 billion, while motor vehicle parts fell 2.5 per cent to $2.5 billion.
Sales were up in five provinces in July, with Quebec posting the largest gain in dollar terms, up 0.9 per cent at $11.9 billion. British Columbia gained 2.2 per cent to $3.8 billion.
