IHS Markit Canada Manufacturing PMI; Weakest Rise in Output

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Canadian manufacturers reported a sustained upturn in overall business conditions in October, but the rate of improvement slowed for the fourth month running. This was highlighted by a fall in the seasonally adjusted IHS Markit Canada Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) to 53.9, from 54.8 in September. The latest reading signalled the weakest improvement in manufacturing conditions since January 2017. Softer rates of output and new business growth were the main factors weighing on the headline index in October.

Production volumes expanded at the slowest pace since December 2016. Survey respondents cited subdued demand from both domestic and export markets. The latest overall upturn in new work was the slowest for just under two years.

In contrast to the weaker trend reported for new business growth, latest data revealed another robust increase in manufacturing payroll numbers. Higher staffing levels were attributed to long-term business expansion plans and associated efforts to boost operating capacity.

Intense supply chain pressures continued in October, as signalled by another sharp lengthening of lead times for the delivery of materials from vendors. Anecdotal evidence pointed to transport shortages across North America and shipping delays at ports following typhoons in Asia.

Low stocks and longer delivery times among suppliers encouraged raw materials inventory building across the manufacturing sector during October. Pre-production stocks have increased in each of the past 12 months, although the latest rise was only marginal. Stocks of finished goods were depleted again, which some firms linked to a more cautious outlook for client demand.

October data pointed to another sharp increase in average cost burdens at manufacturing companies. Survey respondents commented that steel tariffs and rising transportation costs had resulted in higher input prices.

Meanwhile, factory gate charges also increased at a strong pace in October, with the rate of inflation accelerating slightly since the previous month.

Looking ahead, manufacturers are optimistic overall that their production volumes will rise in the next 12 months. However, the degree of positive sentiment continued to moderate from the recent peak seen in April.

The latest reading signalled the weakest level of positive sentiment since November 2016. Some firms noted that heightened economic uncertainty, particularly in relation to global trade, had weighed on confidence in October.

Christian Buhagiar, president and CEO at SCMA, said:

“October data suggest that manufacturing production growth continued to ease from the elevated rates seen over the summer. More subdued demand in both domestic and export markets contributed to the weakest rise in new order volumes since November 2016. At the same time, input cost inflation remained sharp and delivery times for materials lengthened amid stretched international supply chains.

"Regional data indicated that rising spending across the energy sector has helped to moderate the slowdown in manufacturing growth, with firms in Alberta & British Columbia reporting the steepest rises in output and employment.

"Quebec appears to have felt the soft patch for global trade most keenly, with manufacturers reporting that new export work fell for the second month running in October." 

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