Latest Alberta Activity Index
The AAX was updated on March 1, 2019 to include December 2018 data.
Provincial activity takes a step back
- After a gain in November, provincial activity declined in December, partly reflecting the impact of market access challenges and weaker oil prices in the last quarter of 2018.
- The Alberta Activity Index (AAX) fell 2.3% month-over-month, reflecting broad-based declines led by rig drilling, manufacturing shipments and housing starts.
- Conversely, oil production was the only indicator to post a modest increase during the month.
- With the pullback, the AAX eased 0.5% compared to a year ago, the first year-over-year decrease since November 2016, amid pipeline constraints.
- Despite weakness towards the end of the year, the AAX averaged 2.4% higher in 2018, reflecting strength in the first half of the year.
Chart: Year-over-year change in Alberta Activity Index and Real GDP
(to December 2018)
Source: Alberta Treasury Board and Finance
Alberta Activity Index - data table
The following file is available in the Open Government Portal:
Download: Alberta Activity Index Data Table (January 1981 to December 2018) (Excel, 26 KB)
About the Alberta Activity Index
Developed by Alberta Treasury Board and Finance, the Alberta Activity Index (AAX) is a weighted average of 9 monthly indicators:
- employment
- average weekly earnings
- retail trade
- wholesale trade
- manufacturing shipments
- new truck sales
- housing starts
- rigs drilling
- oil production
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Contact
Daniel Letcher, Economist
Alberta Treasury Board and Finance
Phone: 780-415-8845
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: daniel.letcher@gov.ab.ca