October PMI® data revealed another robust improvement in the health of Canada’s manufacturing sector. Expansions were seen across output, new orders, employment and purchasing activity. However, supply-chain pressures continued to mount with firms registering a record lengthening in lead times. This, paired with greater client demand and concerns of future supply shocks, led companies to raise their pre-production inventories at a record pace. Nevertheless, firms remained optimistic that global economic conditions will improve over the coming 12 months and support expansions in output. Meanwhile, material scarcity ... (full story)