Interest rate announcements are due this week from central banks in Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe.

On Tuesday, the Bank of Canada makes its interest rate announcement. Analysts are split on whether interest rates will be cut to help the economy. The key overnight is currently 4.5%.

On Wednesday, Mark Carney, incoming governor of the Bank of Canada, appears before the parliamentary finance committee.

On Thursday, Statistics Canada reports on building permits in October. Economists forecast a 0.5% increase from the previous month.

Meanwhile, the Ivey purchasing managers index for November is released. Economists expect it to slip to 55 from 57.1 the previous month.

On Friday, StatsCan releases its labour force survey for November. Economists expect the unemployment rate to rise to 5.9%, from 5.8%; a net monthly gain of 15,000 jobs is also forecast.

U.S. and overseas

On Monday, the U.S. Institute of Supply Management releases its manufacturing index for November. Economists forecast a slight drop to 50.7%.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Labor reports on productivity and costs for the third quarter. Economists forecast non-farm productivity gains of 5.7%, annualized, compared with 4.9% in the prior quarter.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Commerce reports on factory orders in October. Economists forecast a flat reading from the previous month.

On Thursday, the U.S. Labor Department releases initial jobless claims for the week ending Dec. 1. Economists forecast 335,000 claims.

Overseas, The European Central Bank governing council makes its interest rate announcement, as does the Bank of England.

On Friday, The U.S. Labor Department issues its employment report for November. Economists expect an unemployment rate of 4.8%, up from 4.7% a month earlier. Non-farm payrolls are expected to grow by 70,000 jobs.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board releases consumer credit data for October. Economists expect an increase of US$5 billion, up from US$3.7 billion the previous month.

Corporate earnings

On Monday, Gladstone Capital Corp. releases its fourth-quarter results.

On Tuesday, Laurentian Bank of Canada releases its fourth-quarter results.

On Wednesday, Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd. releases its first-quarter results.

On Thursday, Bank of Nova Scotia releases its fourth-quarter results, as does CIBC and Canadian Western Bank.

Other companies releasing earnings on Thursday include Gildan Activewear, Le Château, Inscape Corp. and U.S. luxury homes builder Toll Brothers Inc.

Friday brings results from Forzani Group Ltd.