Statistics Canada released manufacturing shipments on Wednesday. Canadian manufacturing shipments climbed 2.9% in March, beating forecasts of a 1.2% increase, after a 2.2% decrease in February.

February's figure was revised down from a 1.7% decline.

The increase was driven by a rise in the production of aerospace products and parts and higher sales of motor vehicles. The production of aerospace products and parts soared 42.3% in March, after a 29.4% drop in February.

Sales of motor vehicles climbed 12.8% in March.

Sales increased in 10 of 21 categories.