Investors get the latest word on U.S. interest rates when the U.S. Federal Reserve meets this week. The Fed is widely expected to raise its key rate another quarter point to 4.75%, but many trader are focused on what the U.S. central bank will say about the likelihood of future rate hikes.

On Monday, Statistics Canada releases 2004 annual retail trade figures.

On Tuesday, StatsCan releases January employment insurance statistics, 1996-2003 international trade in culture services figures and 1995-2004 merchandise trade with the European Union.

On Wednesday, Statistics Canada releases 2005 fourth-quarter national tourism indicators; January payroll employment, earning and hours figures and a study on work hours instability.

TD Banknorth chairman/president William Ryan and CIBC president Gerry McCaughey addresses the National Bank Financial Canadian Financial Services Conference in Montreal.

In Quebec, Nicholas Le Pan, superintendent of financial institutions, speaks on the Basel II Accord.

In New York, Bank of Canada Governor David Dodge is scheduled to give a speech to the New York Association for Business Economics.

On Thursday, Statistics Canada releases February industrial product and raw materials price indexes and 2004 income figures.

On Friday, Statistics Canada releases January gross domestic product by industry figures.

South of the border, Monday sees the U.S. treasury bill auction and the start of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting to discuss interest rates.


On Tuesday, the U.S. Conference Board reports its monthly Consumer Confidence Index .

As well, the FOMC meeting to discuss interest rates continues.

On Thursday, the U.S. Commerce Department reports on gross domestic product, fourth quarter, final. Separately, the U.S. Labor Department reports on weekly jobless claims.

On Friday, the U.S. Commerce Department reports on personal income and spending for February and on factory orders for February.