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OTTAWA — Canada’s economy unexpectedly shrank by 0.1 per cent in October, the first monthly decline since February, partly because of a U.S. auto strike that hit manufacturing, Statistics Canada data indicated on Monday.

Analysts in a Reuters poll had forecast a gain of 0.1 per cent following a 0.1 per cent advance in September. Goods-producing industries posted a 0.5 per cent loss while service sectors were essentially unchanged.

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October’s growth figures were the latest in a string of disappointing data that analysts say could put pressure on the Bank of Canada to mull a rate cut.

“Today’s report may be seem easy to dismiss on its face given the strike-related disruption was well known in advance, but moving past that impact reveals some concerning weaknesses,” said Brian DePratto, a director at TD Economics.

“Don’t write off monetary easing in 2020 just yet.”