OTTAWA, Feb 18 (Reuters) - The value of Canadian wholesale
trade rose more than expected for a second month in a row in
December, led by gains in the motor vehicle and parts sector,
data from Statistics Canada showed on Thursday.
The 2.0 percent gain topped economists' expectations for a
small increase of 0.2 percent from November's upwardly revised
1.9 percent. Volumes increased by 1.8 percent in December.
Motor vehicles and parts saw the largest increase in dollar
terms, surging 10.6 percent to C$11.26 billion ($8.24 billion).
Sales of vehicles were the highest on record, while there
was also an increase in exports and imports of vehicles and
parts.
Sales in the food, beverage and tobacco sector rose 1.3
percent, the second increase in three months.
Overall, higher sales were seen in four out of seven
sectors, accounting for 66 percent of wholesale sales.
For the year as a whole, sales grew 4.0 percent, with every
province except oil-sensitive Alberta posting higher sales.
Still, most provinces saw slower growth last year compared to
2014.
($1 = C$1.3673)
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Graphic - wholesale trade http://link.reuters.com/cyr43t
Graphic - Canada economic dashboard http://graphics.thomsonreuters.com/15/sc-canada/index.html
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