Manufacturing sales edged down 0.2% in February to $53.6 billion, following three consecutive monthly increases.

The largest declines were in the motor vehicle assembly and petroleum and coal product manufacturing industries. However, these decreases were largely offset by gains in the aerospace products and parts, primary metal and machinery industries.

Sales were down in 10 of the 21 industries, representing 37% of the Canadian manufacturing sector.

Once the effects of price changes are taken into consideration, manufacturing sales in volumes edged up 0.1% in February.