The stream of economic news gets off to a slow start on Monday with U.S. financial markets closed for Presidents Day.

Here at home, Monday brings Statistics Canada’s report on Canada’s international securities transactions for December. A net inflow of $3.4 billion is forecast, down from $11 billion the previous month.

On Tuesday, StatsCan releases the consumer price index data for January. Economists expect a year-over-year increase of 1.1%.

On Wednesday, StatsCan reports on retail sales for December. Economists expect an increase of 1%, compared with 0.2% the previous month.

Also, the Conference Board of Canada releases Canadian Industrial Outlook: Canada’s Oil Industry – Winter 2007.

South of the border

On Wednesday, the U.S. Conference Board releases leading indicator figures for January. Economists expect an increase of 0.2%, compared with 0.3% the previous month.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Labor reports on the consumer price index for January. Economists forecast a monthly increase of 0.1%, compared with a revised increase of 0.4% the previous month.

As well, U.S. Federal Reserve issues minutes of Jan. 30-31 meeting, Washington.

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Labor reports initial jobless claims for the week ended Feb. 17. Economists forecast 325,000, claims compared with 357,000 in the previous week.

Earnings reports

The flood of corporate earnings continues unabated this week. Among the companies schedule to report are:

  • Russel Metals Inc.;
  • Silver Wheaton Corp.;
  • CAP REIT;
  • Hewlett-Packard Co.;

  • Home Depot Inc.;
  • Wal-Mart Stores Inc.;
  • Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd.;
  • Atco Ltd.;
  • Dundee Precious Metals Inc.;
  • High Liner Foods Inc.;
  • Kinross Gold Corp.;
  • Rona Inc.;
  • Ballard Power Systems Inc.;
  • Barrick Gold Corp.;
  • Canfor Corp.;
  • Cascades Inc.;
  • Extendicare REIT;
  • Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd.;
  • Legacy Hotels REIT;
  • Maple Leaf Foods Inc.;
  • Mosaid Technologies Inc.;
  • Newmont Mining Corp.;
  • Toronto-Dominion Bank;
  • Western Oil Sands Inc.; and
  • SNC-Lavalin Group Inc.