For August
Latest Release from: Purchasing Management Association

Employment: 53, pr. 46.3
Inventories: 55.6, pr. 60.8
Deliveries: 40.2, pr. 36.5
Prices: 72.7, pr. 80.9

Purchasing managers' activities grew at a tepid pace in August, as the index fell from 65.5 to 51.5. The subindexes showed an improvement in employment, and an easing in prices. The index remains above the boom-bust level of 50, as it has for the year so far, but is at the lowest point this year as well.

From the release:

The Ivey Purchasing Managers Index by the end of May, 2008 stood at 62.5. The corresponding figure for May 2007 was 62.7 and for May 2006 was 75.0.

The Employment index for May stood at 59.3, Inventories 55.2, Supplier Deliveries were 45.7 and Prices were 82.9.

The Ivey PMI is not adjusted for seasonality or inflation and shows responses to one question: "Were your purchases last month in dollars higher, the same, or lower than the previous month?" A figure above 50 shows an increase while below 50 shows a decrease.

"Ivey Purchasing Managers Index" for April
Monthly Comment from: Purchasing Management Association of Canada

The Canadian Dollar strengthened following its Ivey PMI index, which beat expectations, giving support to the health of the Canadian economy. The USD/CAD pair lurched 80 pips in the Loonie's favor, meeting support at 1.0050. Oil testing above the $120 per barrel level had been giving the Canadian currency underlying strenght earlier in the week. In the hours prior the report the pair had been consolidated near 1.01 and was actually strengthening in the greenback's favor before it plunged on the news. 

From the release:

The Ivey Purchasing Managers Index by the end of April, 2008 stood at 57.6. The corresponding figure for April 2007 was 60.9 and for April 2006 was 55.7. The Employment index for April stood at 54.3, Inventories 53.8, Supplier Deliveries were 42.9 and Prices were 80.7.

The Ivey PMI is not adjusted for seasonality or inflation and shows responses to one question: "Were your purchases last month in dollars higher, the same, or lower than the previous month?" A figure above 50 shows an increase while below 50 shows a decrease.

"Ivey Purchasing Managers Index" for March
Monthly Comment from: Purchasing Management Association of Canada

The Canadian Dollar gave back its earlier gains against the US Dollar after its Ivey PMI slowed to 59 in March. This surprised forecasts on the downside, and was 3 points of February's level. The Loonie had come close to parity after the release of US Nonfarm payroll data fell by more than expected. 

"Ivey Purchasing Managers Index" for February
Monthly Comment from: Purchasing Management Association of Canada

The Ivey PMI showed that 62% of purchasing managers had higher amounts of purchases. Its a welcome sign for those watching Candian growth, as the indicator has recovered from its fall low in December, and is back above the 60 level. The USD/CAD pair fell in favor of the Canadian Dollar following the news. The pair had been trending higher after it set a session low at .9815. In earlier NY trading, the pair had set a high following weaker building permits out of Canada.

"Ivey Purchasing Managers Index" for January.
Monthly Comment from: Purchasing Management Association of Canada

"The Ivey Purchasing Managers Index by the end of January, 2008 stood at 56.2.  The corresponding figure for January 2007  was 53.8 and for January 2006 was 54.1.

The Employment index for January stood at 52.8, Inventories were 50.7, Supplier Deliveries were 45.2 and Prices were 67.1.

The Ivey PMI is not adjusted for seasonality or inflation and shows responses to one question: "Were your purchases last month in dollars higher, the same, or lower than the previous month?" A figure above 50 shows an increase while below 50 shows a decrease."