OTTAWA -- Manufacturing sales advanced 0.4 per cent to $45.4 billion in December as the primary metal and petroleum and coal product industries reported gains and aerospace product and parts declined.
Statistics Canada reports manufacturing sales have been moving upward at a slower rate in recent months, after increasing substantially between May 2009 and May 2010.
The agency says constant-dollar manufacturing sales declined 0.5 per cent in December, reflecting price increases.
Higher sales were reported in 13 of 21 industries, representing two-thirds of total manufacturing.
Sales advanced 3.9 per cent in the primary metal industry, 1.5 per cent in the petroleum and coal products industry, and 2.3 per cent in the chemical product industry.
The aerospace product and parts industry led the declines as production fell 16.6 per cent, the largest percentage decrease since September 2009.
There were also sales decreases in the machinery industry (down 2.0 per cent) and the computer and electronic product industry (down 3.0).
New Brunswick led the provinces, with sales rising 28.7 per cent to $1.6 billion, largely reflecting gains in the non-durable goods industries.
Quebec led the provincial declines in December, with sales falling 2.8 per cent to $10.9 billion.
Inventory levels remained unchanged in December at $61 billion.
Unfilled orders fell 1.6 per cent in December to $52 billion.
New orders were down 1.9 per cent in December.
Statistics Canada reports manufacturing sales have been moving upward at a slower rate in recent months, after increasing substantially between May 2009 and May 2010.
The agency says constant-dollar manufacturing sales declined 0.5 per cent in December, reflecting price increases.
Higher sales were reported in 13 of 21 industries, representing two-thirds of total manufacturing.
Sales advanced 3.9 per cent in the primary metal industry, 1.5 per cent in the petroleum and coal products industry, and 2.3 per cent in the chemical product industry.
The aerospace product and parts industry led the declines as production fell 16.6 per cent, the largest percentage decrease since September 2009.
There were also sales decreases in the machinery industry (down 2.0 per cent) and the computer and electronic product industry (down 3.0).
New Brunswick led the provinces, with sales rising 28.7 per cent to $1.6 billion, largely reflecting gains in the non-durable goods industries.
Quebec led the provincial declines in December, with sales falling 2.8 per cent to $10.9 billion.
Inventory levels remained unchanged in December at $61 billion.
Unfilled orders fell 1.6 per cent in December to $52 billion.
New orders were down 1.9 per cent in December.