MANUFACTURING SALES

Manufacturing Sales Continue to Slide

highlights

• Manufacturing sales fell 0.6 per cent to $57.0 billion in November, the third consecutive monthly decline. Year-over-year sales were also down 0.1 per cent, its sixth straight month in the red.
• Primary metal manufacturing posted the largest decline at 11.7 per cent, while the notoriously volatile aerospace sector enjoyed the biggest gain at 8.5 per cent.
• Eight provinces experienced falling manufacturing sales, with gains recorded in only Ontario and BC.
• The inventory-to-sales ratio edged up from 1.52 in October to 1.54 in November. On a more positive note, new and unfilled orders increased by 1.9 per cent and 0.1 per cent, respectively.
• This report is another one in a line showing that manufacturing struggled in the last half of the year. While this weakness can be partly blamed on soft global trade activity and temporary disruptions, policy action is still required to improve the competitiveness of the Canadian manufacturing sector.

MANUFACTURING SALES FALL 0.6 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER

Manufacturing sales fell for the third straight month in November, down by 0.6 per cent to $57.0 billion. This follows an upwardly revised 0.2 per cent decline in October and a 0.1 dip in September. In volume terms, the November decline was slightly steeper at 0.8 per cent. On a year-over-year basis, manufacturing sales were down 0.1 per cent, this metric’s sixth straight month in the red. While this second-half weakness can be partly blamed on soft global trade activity and temporary disruptions, policy action is still required to improve the competitiveness of the Canadian manufacturing sector.

SALES FALL IN 5 OF 11 MAJOR INDUSTRIES

Five of 11 major industries posted declines in November, led by a steep 11.7 per cent drop in primary metals. Statistics Canada noted that shipments at many firms in this sector were disrupted by the CN rail strike, which has since been resolved. Declines were also recorded in chemical products, machinery, food products, and petroleum and coal refining.

The notoriously volatile aerospace industry boasted the biggest gain in November at 8.5 per cent. This industry looks like it enjoyed a healthy 2019, as sales were up nearly 10 per cent year-to-date through November. Motor vehicle and parts sales climbed by 3.3 per cent, its first gain in three months. A rebound in November was expected following the resolution of the US GM strike in late October. Other industries that posted gains included fabricated metals, plastics and rubber products, and paper products. Sales were flat in wood products.