Biggest gain since July 2011 was broad based, with sales rising in 14 of 21 industries

Auto sales lead manufacturing sales jump in February

Canada’s manufacturing sector did better than expected in February, with auto sales leading a broad-based advance that was the strongest in 19 months.

Statistics Canada reported that manufacturing sales rose 2.6 per cent to $49.6 billion in February, the largest increase since July 2011.

The gain was broad based, as sales rose in 14 of 21 industries, representing approximately 85 per cent of the manufacturing sector, the agency said.

Transportation equipment was the biggest factor, with other contributions from petroleum and coal products, food and miscellaneous manufacturing.

CIBC World Markets economist Emanuella Enenajor says manufacturing growth in February was nearly four times more than the consensus estimate.

“Sales of autos led the charge, with auto shipments up a searing 13.5 per cent. Coal product shipments were also up, although prices drove gains there,” Enenajor wrote.

Constant dollar manufacturing sales increased 2.5 per cent, indicating that most of the gain reflected higher sales volumes.

Enenajor said the big gain in volumes probably came from additional production rather than in- ventory, a potential “big plus” for Canada’s gross domestic product in February.

Sales of durable goods were up 3.7 per cent to $25.1 billion, while nondurable goods sales rose 1.5 per cent to $24.5 billion.

Sales rose in eight provinces in February, led by Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick.