Canada posted a third consecutive monthly trade surplus in January, the first such stretch since 2014, in another signal that the economy is gaining momentum after slumping for more than two years due to low oil prices.
Statistics Canada on Tuesday reported a surplus of $807-million, which slightly exceeded analysts’ forecasts of a $700-million surplus. Statscan revised December’s surplus sharply lower to $447-million from an initial $923-million.
The last time Canada recorded trade surpluses for three months in a row was between July and September 2014.
The value of exports rose 0.5 per cent in January while volumes expanded 1.0 per cent. Imports slipped 0.3 per cent but volumes climbed 2.5 per cent.
“The gains in two-way trade volumes signal an economy that