OTTAWA — Manufacturing sales slipped by 1.5 percent (-$720 million) in February to $47.1 billion, following a 4.4 percent gain the month before.

While lower sales were widespread (in 15 of 21 industries), the decrease was mostly concentrated in the motor vehicle assembly (-10.9%), related parts (-7.9%) and the aerospace industry (-11.3%) in Central Canada, reports Stats Canada.

Sales also fell 4.5 percent in the machinery industry, although this sector has advanced in 9 of the past 12 months.

Offsetting the declines, sales jumped 23.1 percent in the miscellaneous manufacturing industry.

Because of the auto and aerospace declines, the drop was mostly in Central Canada where C=combined sales in Ontario and Quebec fell by $646 million in February.

Sales also fell in Newfoundland (-20.0%) and New Brunswick (-7.5%) in February were non-durable goods industries were largely responsible for the declines.

Meanwhile, inventories held by manufacturers edged down 0.3 percent to $61.6 billion, the first decrease in five months.

Declines in inventory levels were reported in 10 of 21 industries, led by a 7.3 percent fall in the petroleum and coal product industry.

Higher inventory levels were reported in the primary metal industry (+2.8%), fabricated metal product (+2.0%), paper (+3.8%) and wood product (+2.6%) industries.