My finance view

OTTAWA–Six of 10 components rose in March as the composite leading index remained unchanged after a decline in February.

Statistics Canada reports both housing and new orders for durable goods rebounded from large declines, while overall household spending led growth and the stock market replaced manufacturing as the economy’s weakest sector.

Outlays for durable goods posted a third straight gain, as auto sales remained on a strong upward trend, as the housing index rebounded 0.2 per cent after five straight declines.

The stock market down trend deepened for a fifth month; its 1.9 per cent drop was steepest of any component.

Export demand continued to reel paydayloans. New orders rebounded 0.6 per cent, on gains for investment goods and a partial autos recovery, not reflected in higher shipments, which lowered the shipments-inventories ratio for a second straight month.

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