August 18, 2008

In current dollars, Canadian manufacturers reported $52.5 billion in sales in June, up 2.1% from May and the fifth increase in six months. In constant dollars, manufacturing sales increased 0.6% to $47 billion in June. Industrial prices for petroleum and coal, chemical products, wood products, and motor vehicles rose notably during the month.
 
By Sector
Increases were widespread as 14 of 21 manufacturing industries, representing 81% of total sales, reported gains.

The largest contribution to the gains in total manufacturing sales came from petroleum and coal product manufacturers. Sales increased by 6.4% in this industry, mirroring the 6.2% rise in prices observed for the month.

Sales by primary metal manufacturers …

Industrial production increased 0.2% in July after having advanced 0.4% in June. Manufacturing output gained 0.4% in July and was boosted by a rise of 3.6% in the production of motor vehicles and parts. Excluding motor vehicles and parts, the index for manufacturing increased 0.2%.
 
The output of mines moved up 0.9%, while the output of utilities contracted 1.9%. At 111.8% of its 2002 average, total industrial production was 0.1% below its level of a year earlier. In July, the capacity utilization rate for total industry edged up to 79.9%, a level 1.1 percentage points below its average for 1972-2007.
 
Daniel J. Meckstroth, Ph.D., chief economist for the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI, said: The modest spike of growth occurred as manufacturers adjusted production …

Maintaining momentum from a strong 2007 and first quarter 2008, particularly in Brazil and Argentina, a new report projects Latin American-based manufacturers will continue to increase output this year and in 2009. According to the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI Latin America Outlook: 2008-2009, a bi-annual analysis that examines the latest trends and provides a near-term forecast for 16 major industries, manufacturing production growth will decelerate in 2009.

The report focuses on Latin America’s three largest economies — Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico — as these countries are responsible for more than 80% of the region’s manufacturing output. MAPI raised its forecast for overall manufacturing output in Latin America in 2008 to 4.9% from its 3.8% forecast in the …