Statistics Canada says Canadian corporations reported $72.5 billion in operating profits in the fourth quarter, up 1.4% from the previous quarter.
It says this was well below the 3.9% increase recorded in the third quarter.
It says operating profits increased in 13 of 22 industries, with insurance carriers and related activities reporting the highest increase, a rise of 29.7% to $2.4 billion.
Profits in construction rose 12.7% to $4 billion, while information and cultural industries increased 7.4% to $5.9 billion.
In the non-financial sector, fourth quarter operating profits rose 2.1% to $53.1 billion after a 3.4% increase the previous quarter.
In the financial sector, operating profits slipped 0.4% to $19.4 billion, after rising 5.3% in the third quarter.