OTTAWA, March 6 (Reuters) - The pace of purchasing activity in Canada picked up in February, lifted by higher supplier deliveries even as the measure of employment cooled, according to Ivey Purchasing Managers Index data released on Tuesday.
The seasonally adjusted index rose to 59.6 from 55.2 inJanuary, while the unadjusted index increased to 58.4 from 51.3. A reading above 50 indicates an increase in the pace ofactivity.
On an adjusted basis, supplier deliveries climbed to 53.7from 46.4. But employment pulled back to 52.4 from 56.5, whileinventories also declined to 52.4 from 58.4.
Prices paid for inputs declined to 64.2 from 66.6,suggesting pressure on firms' operating margins may ease.
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http://link.reuters.com/hyp75t
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