Canada February GDP +0.2% vs +0.2% expected

Canada's economy expanded 0.2% in February, matching expectations and building on a two-month goods-side rebound. Manufacturing led the gain with a 1.8% jump—durable goods +3.6%, machinery manufacturing +8.7% and motor vehicle manufacturing surging 20.4% as Ontario auto plants resumed output. Wholesale trade, transportation/warehousing and mining & oil and gas also contributed, while the public sector contracted 0.3% and arts & entertainment fell 2.5% (partly due to an NHL Olympic break). March is estimated essentially flat, leaving Q1 GDP tracking around +0.4%. The data is a modestly positive signal for the Canadian dollar given stronger goods growth, but the report warns some strength may be a pull-forward ahead of tariff uncertainty—so the CAD impact may be limited or temporary.