On Tuesday, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. reports on housing starts in July. Economists expect 145,000 starts, annualized basis.

On Wednesday, Statistics Canada reports on international merchandise trade for June. A deficit of $800 million is forecast.

Separately, StatsCan reports on the new-housing price index for June. The index is expected to be unchanged from the previous month.

The Conference Board of Canada is set to releases its economic forecast for 2010.

On Friday, StatsCan releases its survey of manufacturing shipments in June. A drop of 0.5% from the previous month is forecast.

South of the border

On Tuesday, the U.S. Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee begins a two-day meeting on interest rates.

On Wednesday, the Fed announces its interest rate decision. The key rate is expected to remain unchanged at 0.25%.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Commerce reports on the trade balance for June. Economists forecast the trade deficit increasing to US$28.5 billion from $26 billion a month earlier.

The U.S. Treasury Department releases its monthly budget statement for July. A deficit of US$161.5 billion is forecast.

On Thursday, the U.S. Commerce Dept. reports advance retail sales for July. Economists expect a rise of 0.5% from the previous month.

Separately, Commerce reports on business inventories for June. A decline of 0.9% is forecast.

As well, the U.S. Department of Labour reports on initial jobless claims for the week ended Aug. 8. Economists forecast 540,000 claims.

On Friday, the U.S. Labour Dept. reports on the consumer price index in July. Economists expect no change from the previous month, and a drop of 1.9% year-over-year.

The U.S. Fed reports on industrial production and capacity utilization in July. Economists expect industrial production to rise 0.2% and the capacity utilization rate to come in at 68.1%.

The University of Michigan issues its preliminary report on consumer sentiment in August. A reading of 69 is forecast.

Corporate earnings

On Monday, Ensign Energy Services Inc. reports second-quarter results, as does Golden Star Resources Ltd., Great Canadian Gaming Corp, Morguard Corp., Tristar Oil & Gas Ltd., and Uranium One Inc.

On Tuesday, CI Financial Income Fund reports second-quarter results.

Other companies scheduled to release quarterly results include Baytex Energy Trust, CAP REIT, Cascades Inc., Liquor Stores Income Fund, Rona Inc., Royal Host REIT, and Semafo Inc.

On Wednesday, Cameco Corp. reports its quarterly results, as does CML Healthcare Income Fund, Dorel Industries Inc., Finning International Inc., and Peyto Energy Trust.

On Thursday, Algonquin Power Income Fund reports quarterly results, as does Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd., Chartwell Seniors Housing REIT, Cineplex Galaxy Income Fund, CryptoLogic Inc., Denison Mines Corp., Gammon Gold, Galleon Energy Inc., Gildan Activewear Inc., Kinross Gold Corp., Linamar Corp., Provident Energy Trust, and Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

On Friday, Dundee Corp. reports its second-quarter earnings, as does Boardwalk REIT, Canadian Hydro Developers Inc.,and Enterra Energy Trust.

IE