Investors will get a reading on Canadian inflation in the last full week before the Christmas holidays.

On Monday, Statistics Canada reports on international securities transactions for October. Economists are forecasting a net outflow of $1 billion.

On Tuesday, StatsCan reports on the consumer price index for November. Economists expect an increase of 2.4% over November, 2006. The core CPI, which excludes food and energy, is expected to have increased 1.8%.

Separately, the statistical agency reports on leading indicators for November. Economists forecast an increase of 0.1%.

On Wednesday, StatsCan reports on wholesale trade in October. Economists expect a rise of 0.2%.

On Friday, StatsCan reports on retail sales in October.

Separately, it reports on the gross domestic product in October. Economists expect growth of 0.1% from the previous month.

U.S. and overseas

On Monday, the U.S. Commerce Department reports on the current account for the third quarter. Economists expect a deficit of US$183.8 billion.

On Tuesday, Commerce reports on housing starts and building permits in November. Economists forecast 1.18 million starts and 1.15 million permits, both annualized.

On Wednesday, the Bank of Japan starts a two-day monetary policy meeting.

On Thursday, the U.S. Commerce Department issues final figures on third-quarter gross domestic product. Economists expect an annualized rise of 4.9%, unchanged from 4.9% in the second quarter.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Labor reports initial jobless claims for the week ended Dec. 15. Economists forecast 335,000 claims.

As well, the U.S. Conference Board reports on the leading indicators in November. Economists forecast a drop of 0.3%.

On Friday, the U.S. Commerce Department reports on personal income and spending in November. Economists forecast increases of 0.5% in income and 0.7% in spending.

The University of Michigan issues its final index of consumer sentiment for December. Economists expect a reading of 74.9, up from 74.5 in November.

Corporate earnings

Wall Street investment bank Goldman Sachs Group releases its fourth-quarter results on Tuesday. Bear Stearns reports on Thursday.

Other companies schedule to report quarterly results include: Adobe Systems Inc.; ACI Worldwide Inc.; Best Buy Co. Inc.; Nike Inc.; Oracle Corp.; General Mills Inc.; Research in Motion Ltd.; Cognos Inc.; Pier 1 Imports Inc.; Rite Aid Corp.; Red Hat Inc.; FedEx Corp.; and Circuit City Stores Inc.