Canadian GDP contracted 0.6% in the first quarter

FXStreet (Mumbai) - The data released by Statistics Canada on Friday showed the economy contracted 0.6% quarter-on-quarter, missing the expectations of a 0.3% gain. This was the first negative growth rate of real GDP since the second quarter of 2011. On a monthly basis, real GDP by industry fell 0.2% in March.

As per the official report, final domestic demand fell 0.4% after increasing 0.4% in the previous quarter, while Government final consumption expenditure was 0.2% lower. Exports of goods and services decreased 0.3%, following a 0.4% decline in the previous quarter. Exports of goods declined 0.5%, while services increased 0.8%. Imports of goods and services fell 0.4%.