For the second month in a row in January, the Canadian factory report came in weaker than expected but these disappointments come after shipments surged to an all-time high in November, explained analysts from the National Bank of Canada.
Key Quotes:
“Manufacturing shipments fell 1.0% m/m in January to C$54.9 billion, a second consecutive decline following a healthy 3.5% increase in November. Sales contracted in 14 of the 21 broad industries surveyed including transportation equipment (-6.3%), wood manufacturing (- 4.1%), and primary metal manufacturing (-2.8%). These declines were partially offset by a rise in shipments for petroleum/coals products (+6.5%) and chemicals (+6.1%).”
“If the effect of price changes are removed, total factory sales fell 1.1% on a monthly basis. Meanwhile, real inventories were up 1.1%, causing the real inventory-to-sales ratio to rise three ticks to 1.41.”
“For the second month in a row in January, the Canadian factory report came in weaker than expected but these disappointments come after shipments surged to an all-time high in November. The transportation equipment category was the main driver of the decline in January with the motor vehicles sub-category falling 8.0% as a result of lower volumes (special plant shutdowns). Furthermore shipments in the aerospace portion tumbled 9.5% partly stemming from a stronger currency. The weakness in autos should be transitory as shutdown factories resume production.”
“On a positive note, a recovery was observed for petroleum/coal products which rebounded in January following a temporary weakness in December. Shipments for the latter category appear to be nearing levels seen before energy prices crashed in 2015. Looking on a quarterly basis, real manufacturing shipments are on track to fall 1.2% annualized in the first quarter of the year assuming no change in February and March. This follows a +3.9% reading in Q4 of 2017.”
“We expect the manufacturing sector to continue contributing to growth in 2018 assuming positive developments in NAFTA negotiations.”
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
Recommended content
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD steady below 1.0800 after US PCE meets expectations
EUR/USD remains depressed below 1.0800 after soft French inflation data, amid minimal volatility and thin liquidity on Good Friday. The pair barely reacted to US PCE inflation data, with the Greenback shedding some pips. Fed Chair Jerome Powell set to speak ahead of the weekly close.
GBP/USD hovers around 1.2620 in dull trading
GBP/USD trades sideways above 1.2600 amid a widespread holiday restraining action across financial markets. Investors took a long weekend ahead of critical United States employment data next week. Fed Chair Powell coming up next.
Gold price sits at all-time highs above $2,230
Gold price holds near a fresh all-time high at $2,236 in thinned trading amid the Easter Holiday. Most major world markets remain closed, although the United States published core PCE inflation, the Federal Reserve’s favorite inflation gauge.
Jito price could hit $6 as JTO coils up inside this bullish pattern
Jito (JTO) price has been on an uptrend since forming a local bottom in early January. Since then, JTO has revisited the key swing point formed in early December, suggesting the bulls’ intention to move higher.
Key events in developed markets next week
Next week, the main focus will be inflation and the labour market in the Eurozone. We expect services inflation to be impacted by the easter effect, while the unemployment rate to be unchanged.