The composite leading index continued to grow at a steady pace, up 0.2% in March, Statistics Canada reported Thursday. Household demand remained the major source of growth.

The March increase marks 20th consecutive month the indicator has moved higher.

Four of 10 components rose, four fell and two stayed the same.

Housing starts eased, but remained above the average level for 2002; and there was a strong advance in services employment.

“Partly offsetting these gains was an eighth decline in nine months for sales of durable goods, led by losses in the auto sector.”

“Manufacturing was mixed. Slowing auto sales here and in the United States led to a fifth straight decline in new orders for durable goods, and the largest decline of any component.”

A strong demand for energy products helped lift the ratio of shipments to stocks for the first time in three months.

http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/030424/d030424b.htm