On Monday, Statistics Canada releases the new housing price index for March. Economists expect an increase of 0.2%.

On Thursday, Statistics Canada posts manufacturing shipments for March. A monthly decrease of 0.5% is expected, compared with a 1.6% increase a month earlier.

On Friday, StatsCan releases data on new motor vehicle sales for March, which are expected to remain static.

South of the border

On Monday, the U.S. Treasury Department releases its monthly budget statement for April. Economists expect a surplus of US$160 billion.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Labour forecasts a 1.7% increase, month-over-month, in the import price index in April, compared with a 2.8% increase in March.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Commerce reports advance retail sales for April. A decrease of 0.2% is expected, compared with a 0.2% increase a month earlier.

Separately, Commerce reports on business inventories for March. Economists expect an increase of 0.5%, compared with a 0.6% rise the previous month.


On Wednesday, U.S. Labour reports on the consumer price index for April. Economists forecast a monthly gain of 0.3%, the same as a month earlier, and growth of 4% over 12 months.

On Thursday, U.S. Labour is scheduled to report initial jobless claims for the week ended May 10. Economists are forecasting 370,000 claims, compared with 365,000 the previous weeks. Continuing claims for the week ended May 3 totalled 3.03 million.

Separately, The U.S. Federal Reserve Board releases industrial production and capacity utilization data for April. Industrial production is forecast to fall 0.3%, compared with a 0.3% increase the previous month. Economists expect a capacity utilization rate of 80.1%, down marginally from 80.5%.

On Friday, the U.S. Commerce Department releases housing starts and building permits figures for April. Economists forecast 940,000 starts and 917,000 permits, both annualized.

Corporate earnings

On Monday, MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates reports its first quarter earnings, as does Great Canadian Gaming Corp., Sprint Nextel Corp., North American Palladium, Russel Metals, Anvil Mining Ltd., Imax Corp., Connors Brothers Income Fund, CryptoLogic Inc., Homburg Invest Inc., and Bankers Petroleum Ltd.

On Tuesday, CI Financial Income Fund releases Q1 results, as does Rona Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc., and Iamgold Corp., Alberta Clipper Energy Inc., BFI Canada Inc., Berens Energy Ltd., Chartwell Seniors Housing REIT, Northern Property REIT, Royal Host REIT, and Birchcliff Energy Ltd.

As well, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. releases fourth-quarter results, and U.S. homebuilder Toll Brothers releases preliminary second-quarter results.

On Wednesday, Uranium One Inc. reports Q1 results, as does Vector Aerospace, Teranet Inc., Baytex Energy Trust, Canadian Superior Energy Inc., Advantage Energy Income Fund, Freddie Mac, Boardwalk Equities, Cominar REIT, and Corby Distilleries Ltd.

On Thursday, High River Gold Mines Ltd. releases first-quarter results, as does J.C. Penney Co. Inc., and Whiterock REIT

Meanwhile, Hewlett-Packard Co. releases second-quarter results, and SABMiller PLC releases preliminary year-end results for fiscal 2008.

On Friday, Rothmans Inc. releases fourth-quarter results, as does British Airways.