OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says manufacturing sales rose 0.3 percent to $51.5 billion in September, boosted by higher sales in the transportation equipment and fabricated metal industries.
Economists had expected a gain of 0.1 percent, according to Thomson Reuters.
Sales were up in 12 of 21 industries, representing 70.1 percent of the total manufacturing sector.
Sales in constant dollar terms sales slipped 0.2 percent, indicating a lower volume of goods sold.
The transportation equipment industry gained 1.5 percent to $10.6 billion in September, while fabricated metal product sales increased 2.4 percent to $2.7 billion.
The primary metal product industry fell 3.4 percent to $3.8 billion.
Statistics Canada said sales were up in five provinces, with gains in Quebec and Ontario partly offset by declines in New Brunswick
