Canada's leading indicator unchanged

OTTAWA, July 18 (UPI) -- Canada's leading index remained unchanged in June, Statistics Canada said Friday.

The forward-looking index rose 0.1 percent in April and 0.2 percent in May.

In June, the components of new orders for manufactured goods and housing declined. But, consumer spending held, "a reflection of strong labor market conditions," the report said.

Spending on durable goods -- products expected to last more than three years -- "continues to grow strongly," the report said.

Hourly earnings, up 4.4 percent on the year, have risen twice the rate of inflation in Canada, the report said.