Statistics Canada said wholesale sales rose for the fourth consecutive month in May, edging up 0.2% after jumping 1.2% in April.

Analysts had called for an increase of 0.5%.

The increase was led by continuing strong demand for machinery and electronic equipment among businesses.

However, the agency noted the increase in May was partly dampened by lower wholesale sales of building materials.

All told, four of the seven sectors posted gains.

Sales in the machinery and electronic equipment sector advanced 2.4%. The farm products category slid 3.5%, while building materials slid e%.