Canada’s leading economic indicator managed its 10th straight monthly increase in April, rising 0.3%, to match the increase in March. The broadly based advance saw 7 of 10 sectors climb. Household components fuelled the rise, led by housing starts.
March retail sales rebounded, following a stumble in February. March figures climbed 0.4%. Warm weather gets the credit for getting shoppers into the stores for an early start on their spring purchases. Retail sales volumes also rose 0.4%. Seven of 11 sub-sectors showed increases with auto sales putting in a strong performance. Excluding cars, volumes were up 0.1%.
Some U.S. housing numbers are also on the data docket today: FHFA House Price Index for March and New Home Sales for April.
Tags: Commercial, Mortgages, Apartment, Multi-family, Financing, Lending, Canada, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, CMHC