Investors will be looking forward to seeing the Canadian and U.S. employment numbers scheduled to be released on Friday.

Economists are predicting a rebound in job creation in Canada. They are forecasting that 20,000 jobs were added during the month. The unemployment rate is expected to hold steady at 6.7%.

“National (jobless) figures mask regional differences — a hot West and subdued central Canada — that should persist through 2006,” said Warren Lovely, an economist at CIBC World Markets Inc., in a research note.

U.S. non-farm payrolls are also scheduled for release Friday, with economists expecting 100,000 new jobs for the month and a steady jobless rate of 5.1%.

The only other report from Statistics Canada comes on Monday, when the government agency reports on the gross domestic product in August. Economists expect growth of 0.4% from the previous month.

South of the border, the economic calendar is more active.

On Monday, the U.S. Commerce Department reports on personal income and spending in September. Economists expect increases of 0.3% and 0.5%, respectively.

The Chicago arm of the National Association of Purchasing Managers releases its index of manufacturing activity in October. Economists expect a reading of 57.5, from 60.5 the previous month.

On Tuesday, economists expect the U.S. Federal Reserve Board to raise its benchmark interest rate to 4%, from 3.75%.

The U.S. Commerce Department reports on construction spending in September. Economists expect an increase of 0.6% from the previous month.

The U.S. Institute for Supply Management releases its manufacturing index for October. Economists expect a reading of 57, from 59.4 the previous month.

On Thursday, U.S. Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan testifies on the economic outlook before the Joint Economic Committee in Washington.

The U.S. Labor Department reports on initial jobless claims in the week ending Oct. 29. Economists expect 330,000 new claims.

Labor also releases preliminary productivity figures for the third quarter. Economists expect an increase of 2.5%.

The U.S. Commerce Department reports on factory orders in September. Economists expect a drop of 0.9%.

The U.S. Institute for Supply Management releases its services index for October. Economists expect a reading of 57, from 53.3 the previous month.

On Friday, the U.S. Labor Department issues its employment report for October. Economists expect the unemployment rate to remain unchanged at 5.1%, and non-farm payrolls to grow by 120,000 jobs.

In the coming week, 82 S&P companies will open the books on their quarters, including Dow Jones component Procter & Gamble Co., as well as Colgate-Palmolive, Sun Microsystems Inc., Molson Coors Brewing Co., Prudential Financial Inc., Duke Energy, Devon Energy, and Time Warner Inc.

In Canada, BCE Inc., Telus Corp., Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., Alcan Inc., Algoma Steel Inc., Cambior Inc., Manulife Financial Corp., Vincor International Inc., and Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. will release their financial results.