Finance Minister Jim Flaherty presents the federal government’s 2009 budget on Tuesday.

Separately, Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney delivers a speech in Halifax.

On Thursday, Statistics Canada reports on industrial product and raw materials prices in December. Economists expect industrial product prices to fall 2.8% from the previous month, and raw materials prices to drop 10%.

On Friday, StatsCan reports on the gross domestic product in November. A drop of 0.4% from the previous month is forecast.

South of the border

On Monday, the U.S. Conference Board reports on the leading indicators in December. Economists expect a drop of 0.3%.

Separately, Commerce reports on existing-home sales in December. An annualized drop of 2% to 4,400,000 sales is forecast.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Conference Board reports on consumer confidence in January.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board announces its benchmark interest rate. The federal funds rate is expected to remain unchanged at 0.25%.

On Thursday, U.S. Commerce reports on durable goods orders for December. A drop of 2% is forecast.

Separately, Commerce reports on new-home sales in December. Economists forecast a drop of 0.5% to 405,000 homes, annualized.

The U.S. Labour Department reports on initial jobless claims for the week ended Jan. 24. Economists forecast 580,000 claims, down from 589,000 a week earlier.

On Friday, U.S. Commerce releases advance figures on gross domestic product for the fourth quarter. A annualized drop of 5% is forecast.

The Chicago purchasing managers’ index for January is released. A reading of 34.2 is forecast.

The University of Michigan issues its final index of consumer sentiment in January. A reading of 61.9 is forecast.

Corporate earnings

On Monday, American Express Co. reports fourth-quarter results, as does Amgen Inc., Caterpillar Inc., Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., Halliburton Co., Kimberly-Clark Corp., McDonald’s Corp., and Texas Instruments Inc.

Tyson Foods Inc. reports first-quarter results.

On Tuesday, E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. reports fourth-quarter results, as does United States Steel, Verizon Communications Inc. and Yahoo Inc.

Indigo Books & Music Inc. reports third-quarter earnings.

Metro Inc. reports first-quarter results.

On Wednesday, AGF Management Ltd. reports fourth-quarter results, as does AT&T Inc., Boeing Co., Celestica Inc., ConocoPhillips Co., Murphy Oil Corp., New York Times Co., Pfizer Inc., TMX Group Inc., and Wells Fargo & Co.

Open Text Corp. reports second-quarter results.

Starbucks Corp. reports first-quarter earnings as does Tyco Electronics Ltd.

Wells Fargo & Co. reports. Fourth-quarter share profit of 33 cents (U.S.) is expected, down from 41 cents a year ago.

On Thursday, 3M Co. reports fourth-quarter results.

as does Altria Group Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Co., DALSA Corp., Eli Lilly and Co., Petro-Canada, and TransAlta Corp.

On Friday, Chevron Corp. reports fourth-quarter results, as does Exxon Mobil Corp., and Honeywell International Inc.

Honda Motor Co. Ltd. reports third-quarter results.

Procter & Gamble Co. reports second-quarter results.

IE