There’s plenty of economic news for investors to digest this week, including an interest rate announcement from the U.S. Federal Reserve. The Fed is widely expected to hold rates steady at 5.25%.

On Monday, Statistics Canada reports on third-quarter labour productivity. Economists expect productivity to increase 0.4%, compared with a decline of 0.4% in the previous quarter.

Separately, StatsCan releases the new-housing price index for October. Economists expect a 0.5% monthly increase, unchanged from the previous month.

As well, Bank of Canada Governor David Dodge delivers speech entitled Improving Financial System Efficiency — the Need for Action, at the Economic Club, Toronto.

On Tuesday, StatsCan issues international merchandise trade data for October. A surplus of $3.8 billion is expected, compared with $4 billion a month ago.

On Wednesday, StatsCan releases new motor vehicle sales data for October. Economists expect a decline of 2%, compared with a decline of 4.2% the previous month.

Separately, the government agency reports on industrial capacity utilization rates for the second quarter. Economists expect a rate of 85.5%, down from 85.9% in the previous quarter.

Meanwhile, the Bank of Canada releases its financial review.

On Thursday, StatsCan reports on manufacturing shipments for October. Economists forecast shipments to decline 0.6%, compared with a decline of 3.3% the previous month.

South of the border

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Commerce reports on wholesale inventories for October. Economists expect a gain of 0.6%, compared with a revised gain of 0.9% the previous month.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board meets and announces its interest rate decision. Economists expect the Fed to hold rates steady at 5.25%.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Commerce Dept. reports on the trade balance data for October. Economists expect a deficit of US$63.7 billion, compared with US$64.3 billion the previous month.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Commerce Dept. reports on advance retail sales for November. Economists forecast an increase of 0.2%, compared with a revised decline of 0.4% the previous month.

Separately, Commerce reports on business inventories for October. Economists expect a rise of 0.4, unchanged from the previous month.

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Labour reports on initial jobless claims for the week ended Dec. 9. Economists forecast 320,000 claims, down from 324,000 a week earlier.

Also Thursday, OPEC holds an extraordinary meeting to discuss production output.

On Friday, the U.S. Labour Dept. reports on the consumer price index for November. Economists forecast a monthly gain of 0.2%, compared with a decline of 0.5% a month earlier.

The U.S. Federal Reserve Board reports on industrial production in November. Economists expect production to grow 0.1%, compared with a gain of 0.2% the previous month.

Separately, the U.S. Fed reports on capacity utilization in November. Economists expect a rate of 82.2%, unchanged from the previous month.

Corporate earnings

Laurentian Bank of Canada reports fourth-quarter results on Tuesday.

Other companies releasing quarterly earnings include: Best Buy Co. Inc.; CHC Helicopter Corp.; Goldman Sachs Group Inc.; Sobeys Inc.; Empire Co. Ltd.; Patheon Inc.; Transcontinental Inc.