The Canadian economic data scheduled for release this week include retail sales, the consumer price index and the leading indicator.

On Monday, Statistics Canada reports on monthly retail trade figures. Economists forecast a 0.2% rise in June, compared with a drop of 0.6% in the previous month.

On Tuesday, StatsCan releases consumer price index data for July. Economists forecast a drop of 0.1% compared with a 0.2%-drop in the prior month.

On Wednesday, StatsCan releases leading indicators data for July. Economists predict a gain of 0.1% compared with 0.2% in the previous month.

South of the border

Wednesday brings the release of data on existing home sales for July. Economists forecast a decline of 1.1%.

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Commerce reports on durable goods orders for July. Economists predict a decline of 0.5%, compared with a gain of 2.9% in June.

Commerce also reports today on new home sales in July. Economists forecast a sales drop of 2.7% to 1.1 million homes from the prior month.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Labor releases data on initial jobless claims for the week ended Aug. 19. Economists predict 315,000 claims, up from 312,000 claims in the previous week.

Corporate earnings

Canadian banks begin to report their third-quarter earnings this week.

Bank of Montreal is scheduled to lead the way reporting its results Tuesday; the Toronto-Dominion Bank on Thursday; and Royal Bank on Friday. The Bank of Nova Scotia reports on August 29.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and the National Bank of Canada report their results on August 31.

Other companies scheduled to release earnings include: Lowe’s Companies Inc.; Toll Brothers Inc.; Nestlé SA; Corby Distilleries Ltd.; Mosaid Technologies Inc.; and La Senza Corp.