Canada Private Sector Activity Contracts

2026-09-03 13:42 By Larissa Caser 1 min. read

The S&P Global Canada Composite PMI declined to 47.8 in August 2026 from 49.7 in July, marking the lowest level since March, primarily driven by weakeness in the service sector, amid escalating tensions with the US and in the Middle East.

Business confidence in the sector over future activity fell to its lowest since June 2025, with rising prices also seen as a threat to future business performance.

The weakness from services offseted growth in manufacturing output for a fifth consecutive month.

Input price inflation softened over the month, although remaining elevated with fuel and energy prices remaining volatile.

Employment was broadly unchanged.



News Stream
Canada Private Sector Activity Contracts
The S&P Global Canada Composite PMI declined to 47.8 in August 2026 from 49.7 in July, marking the lowest level since March, primarily driven by weakeness in the service sector, amid escalating tensions with the US and in the Middle East. Business confidence in the sector over future activity fell to its lowest since June 2025, with rising prices also seen as a threat to future business performance. The weakness from services offseted growth in manufacturing output for a fifth consecutive month. Input price inflation softened over the month, although remaining elevated with fuel and energy prices remaining volatile. Employment was broadly unchanged.
2026-09-03
Canada Private Sector Activity Rebounds
The S&P Global Canada Composite PMI rose to 49.7 in July 2026 from 47.9 in June, amid a second consecutive month of contraction in private-sector business activity, albeit at a slower pace. The improvement reflected stronger manufacturing output, while the services sector remained in contraction. New business followed a similar pattern. Employment continued to expand across the private sector, though business confidence weakened to its lowest level since June 2025. On the price front, both input costs and output charges increased at faster rates.
2026-08-06
Canada Private Sector Activity Contracts
The S&P Global Canada Composite PMI declined to 47.9 in June 2026, marking the first contraction in 6 months in private-sector business activity, down from 50.8 in May. The decline was driven by weaker services activity, which more than offset a solid expansion in manufacturing output. New orders also declined during the month, pointing to softer demand. Despite the downturn in activity, private-sector employment continued to grow, although optimism regarding the future deteriorated. On the price front, inflationary pressures eased.
2026-07-06