Drop in Index Paints Weaker Short-Term Economic Outlook For Canada

OTTAWA, July 25, 2016 /CNW/ - The Composite Leading Index, a new Conference Board of Canada economic measure that tracks short-term indicators of the economy, inched down 0.2 points in May, its first decrease in three months.

"The drop in the indicator suggests a weaker outlook for the Canadian economy," said Matthew Stewart, Associate Director, National Forecasting with The Conference Board of Canada. "Despite some good news, labour market weakness persisted and business investment shows no signs of picking up. In addition, economic growth may be slowing in the U.S., which will be a key factor for Canadian economic growth in the coming months."

HIGHLIGHTS

• The Composite Leading Index fell by 0.2 points in May, its first decrease in three months.
• Five of the index's nine components improved, while four deteriorated.
• Industrial and commercial building permits fell for a third consecutive month in May, signalling that the Canadian business sector is unlikely to increase investment in the near future.

Industrial and commercial building permits, which signal future building activity, fell for the third consecutive month in May, underscoring recent data suggesting Canada's business sector is hesitant to invest. The average workweek experienced its largest monthly decline in over two years and employment insurance claims skyrocketed, both of which could spell trouble for hiring in the coming months. The Conference Board, Inc.'s Leading Economic Index for the United States also fell in May to 123.7, suggesting a slowdown in economic growth.  

On a more positive note, the energy price index saw a significant increase as crude oil prices continued to climb from their lows in February. The stock market also saw gains, and the interest rate spread narrowed again, suggesting lenders are more optimistic about overall economic conditions. New orders for durable manufactured goods also increased and data previously released in May showed that consumer sentiment improved in the month as well.

The Composite Leading Index (CLI) sums up the performance of nine components that track the short-term course of the economy and signals changes in the business cycle (periods of faster and slower economic growth) approximately six months in the future. The CLI will be published on the second last Friday of every month by The Conference Board of Canada. It is available to subscribers of the e-Library.

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SOURCE Conference Board of Canada

Sean Burgess, Media Relations, The Conference Board of Canada, Tel.: [phone] ext. 294, E-mail: [email protected]; or, Juline Ranger, Director of Communications, The Conference Board of Canada, Tel.: [phone] ext. 431, E-mail: [email protected]