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BMO Expects "Tick Up" In April Housing Starts, Due Out This Morning

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Canada will publish the April housing starts at 8:15 a.m. ET on Friday, said Bank of Montreal (BMO).

The starts look to "tick up" to around 240,000 annualized units, according to the bank. "While housing starts have remained relatively resilient, they're unlikely to gain much traction while the market for new homes struggles to absorb a glut of inventory," it said.

BMO noted CMHC is looking into collecting additional data -- including building permits and more insight into the pre-construction world -- so the bank awaits more details on that front.

At 8:30 a.m. ET on Friday, Canada will release manufacturing sales for March and also international securities transactions for March.

Manufacturing sales look to rise 3.5% month over month, while new orders could be a touch stronger in March, stated the bank. BMO will keep an eye on volumes, given the big increase in prices. Wholesale volumes were "sturdy" on Thursday.

The US dollar (USD) index has strengthened while the Canadian dollar (CAD or loonie) is a bit softer at $1.734 (72.8 cents US) early Friday, added the bank.

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