Gross domestic product was unchanged in February following three months of growth. Gains in service-producing industries were offset by declines in goods-producing industries.

Service-producing industries were up 0.2% in February following a 0.5% gain in January, the highest monthly growth rate since January 2013. Goods-producing industries were down for the first time since October, declining 0.3% in February.

The real estate and rental and leasing sector grew 0.5% in February, led by a 5.3% gain in output of real estate agents and brokers, mainly as a result of notable gains in activity in and around the Greater Toronto Area.

The finance and insurance sector was up for the fourth month in a row, rising 0.7% in February. Depository credit intermediation and monetary authorities were up 0.5%. Financial investment services, funds and other financial vehicles increased 1.4% from higher mutual fund activity related in part to the March 1 deadline for Registered Retirement Savings Plan contributions for the 2016 tax year. Insurance carriers and related activities advanced 0.7%.