Canada: Manufacturing sales declined 1.0% to $54.9 billion in January

"Manufacturing sales decreased 1.0% to $54.9 billion in January. Declines in the motor vehicles, the aerospace product and parts, as well as the primary metal industries were responsible for the overall drop", the Statistics Canada reported this Friday.

Key highlights:

   •  Overall, sales were down in 14 of 21 industries, representing 56% of the Canadian manufacturing sector. 

   •  Sales of durable goods declined 3.5% to $28.2 billion, while sales of non-durable goods increased 1.7% to $26.8 billion.

   •  Inventory levels rose 0.9% to $76.1 billion in January, the fourth consecutive monthly gain, to reach their highest level since the current series began in 1992.

   •  Unfilled orders rose 0.6% to $86.7 billion in January, following two months of declines. 

   •  New orders rose for a second consecutive month, edging up 0.1% to $55.4 billion in January.