On Wednesday, Statistics Canada releases consumer price index data for July. Economists expect a year-over-year decline of 0.8%. In the core rate, a gain of 1.9% is forecast.

Separately, StatsCan reports on leading indicators for July. Economists project an increase of 0.2%, compared with a decline of 0.1% the previous month.

On Thursday, StatsCan reports on wholesale trade for June. Economists expect a decline of 0.1%, compared with a gain of 0.3% in May.

South of the border

On Monday, the National Association of Home Builders releases its U.S. housing market index for August. Economists expect a reading of 18, up from 17 in July.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Commerce releases U.S. housing starts and building permits data for July. Economists forecast 598,000 housing starts on an annualized basis, up from 582,000 in June; 576,000 building permits are expected to have been issued, up from 570,000 in June.

Separately, the U.S. Department of Labour releases the producer price index for July. Economists see a year-over-year decline of 5.8%. In the core rate (excluding food and energy) a gain of 2.8% is expected.

On Thursday, the U.S. Labour Dept reports on initial jobless claims for the week ended Aug. 15. Economists expect 550,000 initial claims, down from 558,000 initial claims in the previous week.

The U.S. Conference Board reports on leading indicators for July. Economists forecast a gain of 0.6%, compared with a gain of 0.7% in June.

On Friday, the National Association of Realtors reports on U.S. existing home sales for July. Economists expect a 2.3-per-cent increase in sales, compared with a gain of 3.6% in June.

Corporate earnings

On Monday, Desjardins Group reports its quarterly results, as does Hewlett-Packard Co., Home Depot Inc., La-Z-Boy Inc., Saks Inc., Target Corp., and TJX Cos. Inc.

On Wednesday, Deere & Co. releases is quarterly earnings, as does Limited Brands.

On Thursday, Barnes & Noble Inc. reports is quarterly earnings, as does Gap Inc., H.J. Heinz Co., Hormel Foods Corp., Open Text Corp., Rio Tinto PLC, and Sears Holdings Corp.

IE