MNI BRIEF: Canada Factory Sales Post 1st Fall In 5 mos In Feb

Canadian factory sales declined for the first time in five months in February according to a flash estimate from the federal statistics office Monday, more evidence that mounting threats of a U.S. trade war are hitting the economy.

February sales fell 0.2%, led by food and energy. StatsCan estimated January factory sales rose 1.7%, led by the end of holiday auto factory shutdowns. (See: MNI INTERVIEW: Trump Risks North American Recession- NS FinMin)