Canada's merchandise trade deficit in November narrowed to -C$323 million from a downwardly revised C$0.5 billion in October and in line with the -C$0.3 billion consensus in the Econoday survey of forecasters. Exports increased 2.2 percent (the second consecutively monthly rise), after a 1.7 percent jump in October, while imports saw a 1.8 percent uptick building on a 0.3 percent uptick in October.

Exports are up 1.6 percent compared to November 2023, while imports rose by 2.9 percent.

Statscan noted that the loonie's depreciation against the greenback in both October and November means, when expressed in U.S. dollars, Canadian merchandise exports increased 0.8 percent from September to November, while imports fell 1 percent.

The monthly rise in exports was broad-based, with nine of the 11 product categories rising."Higher prices were partly responsible for the monthly increase in exports," Statscan said, with total exports up 0.5 percent in real terms.

The largest biggest drivers of the monthly increase in imports were consumer goods (+3.8 percent); basic and industrial chemical, plastic and rubber products (+4.3 percent); industrial machinery, equipment and parts (+3 percent) and metal and non-metallic mineral products (+3.2 percent).

Higher oil export volumes are expected to help reduce the trade gap to C$0.3 billion from C$0.9 billion in October. Labor trouble at ports is seen holding down imports.

The merchandise trade balance measures the difference between imports and exports of goods. The level of the international trade balance, as well as changes in exports and imports, indicate trends in foreign trade and can offer a guide to an economy's competitiveness. Nominal data are supplied with regards to principal trading partners and product classification.

Changes in the level of imports and exports, along with the difference between the two (the trade balance) are a valuable gauge of economic trends here and abroad. While these trade figures can directly impact all financial markets, they primarily affect currency values in foreign exchange markets. This is particularly true for Canada which relies on exports and particularly those to the U.S. for growth. It should be noted that this report focuses solely on goods trade - it leaves services trade for the quarterly national accounts and balance of payments reports.

Imports indicate demand for foreign goods while exports show the demand for Canadian goods in the U.S. and elsewhere. The Canadian dollar is particularly sensitive to changes in its trade balance with the U.S. For the most part, Canada's trade balance is in surplus thanks to its exports to the U.S. Both the nominal export and import values are split into volume (real) and price components. This permits trade data to be analyzed for both changes in trade patterns as well as changing prices. This has been particularly important of late given energy price volatility and the impact on Canada's merchandise shipments. A word of caution -- the data are subject to large monthly revisions. Therefore, it can be misleading to form opinions on the basis of one month's data.

The bond market is sensitive to the risk of importing inflation. This report gives a breakdown of trade with major countries so it can be instructive for investors who are interested in diversifying globally. For example, a trend of accelerating exports to a particular country might signal economic strength and investment opportunities in that country.