By Robb M. Stewart
OTTAWA--An advance estimate points to a pullback in Canadian factory trade in March, led by declines in sales of transportation equipment and petroleum and coal products, according to Statistics Canada.
An early estimate of manufacturing sector sales indicates a fall of 2.8% last month, the government agency said Wednesday.
The March estimate was based on a weighted response rate to Statistics Canada's survey of roughly 64%. The official survey results, based on more complete data, are scheduled to be released May 15.
Sales in February rose 0.7% from the month before to a seasonally adjusted 71.61 billion Canadian dollars, the equivalent of about $52.41 billion, the data agency reported earlier this month. That advance was driven by increased sales shipments of petroleum products, as well as a jump in sales of electrical equipment, appliances and components to the highest level on record.
Write to Robb M. Stewart at robb.stewart@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
04-24-24 0904ET
