Canadian production rises at fastest pace since March: report

Canadian manufacturers experienced a robust and accelerated improvement in overall business conditions in July of 2017, according to a new survey report conducted by research firm IHS Markit.

“The latest survey revealed the fastest rate of production growth since March 2017, driven by improved new order books and supported by a further solid rise in employment numbers,” IHS Markit said. “At the same time, input cost inflation moderated to a nine-month low, with manufacturers attributing this to a stronger exchange rate against the U.S. dollar. Demand for raw materials continued to strengthen, with the latest increase in purchasing activity the fastest since December 2014.”

Moreover, IHS Markit continued, the latest reading pointed to the strongest improvement in overall business conditions since April.

Source: IHS Markit

“Faster output growth was a key driver of the upturn in the headline PMI figure in July,” the firm said. “Production volumes were expanded to the largest degree for four months, which survey respondents linked to improved demand and greater willingness to spend among clients.”

July data indicated the steepest rise in total new work for three months, the survey report continued. “There were signs that the accelerated pace of new order growth was driven by domestic spending, as the latest increase in export sales was weaker than in June,” it said.

Manufacturing companies responded to rising workloads by hiring additional staff during July, the IHS Markit report continued. “A rebound in employment numbers has been recorded since October 2016, helped by improved business confidence and efforts to rebuild production capacity.”

Additionally, exactly 40% of the survey panel forecast an expansion of output volumes over the year ahead, while only 5% anticipate a reduction.

Regionally, the IHS survey revealed that Alberta & B.C. remained the best performing area for manufacturing growth in July 2017; the fastest rises in new orders were recorded in Alberta & B.C., and Ontario; and manufacturing employment increased in all four regions monitored by the survey in July.

“July data highlighted that Canada’s manufacturing sector maintained an impressive growth rate, as production volumes rose to the second-largest extent since November 2014,” Tim Moore, associate director at survey compilers IHS Markit, said in a statement. “Stronger domestic demand was the key factor boosting manufacturing growth in July, reflecting improving economic conditions and rising sales to energy sector clients. Manufacturers have become more confident that the rebound will be sustained during the next 12 months. The improving business outlook, alongside softer cost pressures, helped to support robust job creation and a renewed focus towards expanding production schedules.”