The composite leading indicator moved ahead 0.5%, Statistics Canada said today. That follows a 0.6% gain in March.

StatsCan said consumer spending took the lead in growth last month.

It added that stronger sales of durable goods offset a sharp downturn in the housing component, with demand particularly strong for electronics and furniture and appliances.

StatCan also reported that increased business spending continued to boost the overall increase in the services employment component. The manufacturing sector continued to be a problem spot.

The agency said declines for exports outweighed higher domestic investment demand and that much of the weakness in export demand for manufactured goods appears rooted in the rising Canadian dollar.

The U.S. leading indicator rose 0.2% in April, as a pickup in industrial activity and continued gains in consumer spending outweighed the dampening effect of higher gasoline prices and slowing housing demand.