Inflation will be in the spotlight this coming week with the release of consumer-price data in both Canada and the United States on Wednesday.

On Monday, the Conference Board of Canada releases it quarterly economic forecast, Provincial Outlook — Winter 2006.

On Tuesday, Statistics Canada reports employment insurance figures for December.

On Wednesday, Statistics Canada reports on the consumer price index data for January. Economists expect a year-over-year increase of 2.6%.

On Friday, StatsCan releases quarterly financial statistics for enterprises for the fourth quarter of 2005.

South of the border

U.S. markets are closed Monday for Presidents’ Day.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Conference Board releases leading indicator data for January. Economists predict an increase of 0.6%.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Labor reports on the consumer price index data for January. Economists expect a year-over-year increase of 3.9%.

On Thursday, Labor releases initial jobless claims for the week ended Feb. 18. Economists expect 295,000 new claims.

On Friday, the U.S. Commerce Department releases durable goods orders for January. Economists expect a decline of 2%.

Earnings

Toronto-Dominion Bank will kick of the Canadian bank’s reporting season Thursday with its first-quarter results. The consensus analyst forecast is for a profit of $1.09 a share, up from $1.04 a year ago, according to a survey by Thomson First Call.

Barrick Gold Corp. Rona Inc. Cambior Inc., Emera Inc., and Emergis Inc. are also slated to report.

In the U.S., Home Depot Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Federated Department Stores Inc., and Gap Inc. are among the retailers that will release their results.