Employment reports from both Canada and the United States will likely make headlines in the coming week.

Both reports will be released on Friday.

Economists expect is that Canadian unemployment rate will hold steady at 6.7 per cent, the lowest reading in 30 years.

Employment, however, is slated to rise 14,000 in July, after robust growth in April, May and June, according to Douglas Porter, deputy chief economist with BMO Nesbitt Burns.

“Canadian payrolls are expected to post a middle-of-the-road increase in July, after a three-month burst of strength,” said Porter. “Some pullback in manufacturing, education and construction is expected, after surprisingly strong increases in June. As well, the truckers strike at the Vancouver port may pinch the job market somewhat.”

On Monday, Canadian financial markets are closed for the Civic Day holiday.

There no major releases form Statistics Canada other than Friday’s employment report.

South of the border, the U.S. Institute for Supply Management releases its manufacturing index for July on Monday. Economists expect a reading of 54.4.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Commerce Department reports on personal income and spending in June. Economists expect increases of 0.4 per cent and 0.8 per cent, respectively.

Separately, Commerce reports on factory orders in June. Economists expect an increase of 1 per cent.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Institute for Supply Management releases its non-manufacturing index. Economists expect a reading of 61.

On Friday, the U.S. government issues its employment report for July. Economists expect the unemployment rate to come in unchanged at 5 per cent, and non-farm payrolls to grow by 175,000 jobs.


Wall Street’s earnings season may be wrapping up, but Canada’s remains in full swing, with BCE Inc., Manulife Financial Corp., Biovail Corp., Nortel Networks Corp. and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. set to report results in the coming days.

As of Friday, 74% of the S&P 500 composite index had reported second-quarter earnings. There are six more components of the Dow Jones industrial average to report.

On Monday, insurance giant Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc. reports second-quarter results.


On Tuesday, Quebecor Inc. reports second-quarter results, as does . Quebecor World Inc.

On Wednesday, Nortel Networks Corp. reports second-quarter results.

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. reports second-quarter results, as does BCE Inc. Algoma Steel Inc., Inmet Mining Corp., and Sherritt International Corp

Gildan Activewear Inc. reports third-quarter results.

Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc. reports fourth-quarter results.

On Thursday, Manulife Financial Corp. to reports second-quarter results, as does Biovail Corp.,
Brascan Corp., Great-West Lifeco Inc.,
Magna Entertainment Corp., Stelco Inc., TimberWest Forest Corp., Trizec Properties Inc., BPO Properties Ltd., Cinram International Inc., Enerplus Resources Fund, Glamis Gold Ltd., St. Lawrence Cement Inc. Extendicare Inc.

On Friday, Power Corp. of Canada reports second-quarter results, along with subsidiary Power Financial Corp.

Telus Corp. reports second-quarter results, as does Fortis Inc., Penn West Energy Trust, and SNC-Lavalin Group Inc., MDC Partners Inc., and Cambior Inc.

Canaccord Capital Inc. reports first-quarter, 2006, results.