Canadian Wholesalers Post  Fastest Growth in 17 Months

(Bloomberg) -- Sales by Canadian wholesalers in March rose by the most in more than a year, another sign the economy is emerging from a temporary slow patch.

Wholesale sales rose 1.4% during the month, the fastest increase since October 2017 and the fourth straight monthly gain, Statistics Canada reported Thursday. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg were expecting a gain of 0.9%.

The solid wholesale print is further evidence -- along with stronger trade, retail and jobs data -- that Canada's economy is returning to strength after struggling in recent months. It all points to the economy returning to faster rates of growth in coming months.

The wholesale numbers are the final major monthly data reading ahead of the release of March output numbers by Statistics Canada on May 31. Economists are anticipating positive growth, after the economy contracted in February.

Statistics Canada will also release first quarter GDP numbers on the same day, with growth expected by economists to pick up slightly from a near-halt in the final three months of 2018.

Gains in wholesale sales in March were broad-based, with six of seven sectors expanding on the month. Only the motor vehicle and parts category recorded a drop. Excluding that auto sector, wholesales were up 2.2% in March.

Building materials and supplies rose 4.5%, while machinery and equipment wholesalers recorded a 2.9% gain.

The strong print was underpinned by a 1% gain in volumes -- the strongest since May 2018.

To contact the reporter on this story: Erik Hertzberg in Ottawa at eschmitzhert@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Theophilos Argitis at targitis@bloomberg.net

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