Statistics Canada says the composite leading index rose 0.2 per cent in June after a 0.8 per cent gain in May. Four of the 10 index components declined in June, compared with none in May.
The composite index rose 0.2% in June after a 0.8% gain in May. In June, 4 of the 10 components declined compared with none the month before with most of the reversals occurred in manufacturing, wher all 3 components swung from gains the month before to declines or no change. Much of the downturn in manufacturing originated in the auto sector, wher the disruption of the global supply chain originating in Japans tsunami disaster temporarily slowed assemblies in Canada in the spring
The ratio of manufacturing sales to inventories fell for the first time in seven months, led by the dro in auto shipments. The average workweek at factories also posted its first decline in 10 months. New orders for durable goods were unchanged, remaining at the high level established after a 9.3% surge in April as a result of the booking of several large orders in the aerospace industry.
Household spending remained mixed. The housing index increased 0.3%, as housing starts in June reached their highest level of the year. Gains in housing helped to sustain growth in furniture and appliance sales. However, spending on other durable goods fell 0.3%, partly because a shortage of some vehicles from Japanese-owned producers appeared to delay purchases.
Elsewher, the leading indicator for the United States rose by 0.4% for the second straight month, as exports and business investment increased to offset a slowdown in consumer spending. The Toronto stock market in June posted its largest dro since last summer, led by a retreat in energy prices.

Leading indicators

	January 2011	February 2011	March 2011	April 2011	May 2011	June 2011
							% change
Composite leading indicator (1992=100)	247.8	250.2	251.7	253.5	255.5	255.9	0.2
Housing index (1992=100)1	123.4	125.6	128.1	127.7	127.8	128.2	0.3
Business and personal services employment (000)	2,964	2,960	2,956	2,968	2,978	2,988	0.3
S&P/TSX stock price index (1975=1,000)	12,999	13,352	13,643	13,841	13,913	13,863	-0.4
Manufacturing
Average workweek (hours)	37.0	37.3	37.3	37.4	37.5	37.4	-0.3
New orders, durables ($ millions, 1992)4	23,153	23,571	23,392	23,569	25,755	25,743	0.0
Shipments/inventories of finished goods4	1.93	1.94	1.95	1.96	1.97	1.96	-0.015
Retail trade
Furniture and appliance sales ($ millions, 1992)4	2,882	2,890	2,893	2,904	2,923	2,953	1.0
Other durable goods sales ($ millions, 1992)4	10,357	10,397	10,385	10,363	10,366	10,337	-0.3
Unsmoothed composite leading indicator	253.4	253.2	256.2	255.0	259.7	255.4	-1.7

1.Composite index of housing starts (units) and house sales (multiple listing service).2.Deflated by the Consumer Price Index for all items.3.The figures in this row reflect data published in the month indicated, but the figures themselves refer to data for the month immediately preceding.4.The figures in this row reflect data published in the month indicated, but the figures themselves refer to data for the second preceding month.5.Difference from previous month.