Manufacturing sales up 0.4 per cent in September: StatsCan

Statistics Canada says manufacturing sales rose 0.4 per cent in September to $49.8 billion, reflecting higher production in the aerospace industry and higher sales of primary metals.

Production in the volatile aerospace industry jumped 43 per cent to $1.8 billion, the biggest increase since last May.

Excluding aerospace, total manufacturing sales slipped 0.7 per cent due to declines in the motor vehicle assembly industry.

Sales rose in eight of 21 industries, representing just under half of all manufacturing.

Sales of durable goods increased 1.1 per cent to $25.8 billion, while non-durable goods sales decreased 0.4 per cent to $24 billion.

Quebec, Alberta and Manitoba reported higher sales in September, but Ontario sales declined.