The Canadian and U.S. employment reports for September will be released on Friday, as the flow of third quarter earnings reports continues.

On Tuesday, Statistics Canada reports on industrial product and raw material prices in September. Economists expect a drop of 0.5% for industrial products and a gain of 0.8% in raw materials.

On Wednesday, StatsCan reports on the gross domestic product for August. Economists expect growth of 0.1% from the previous month.

On Friday, Statistics Canada releases its labour force survey for October. Economists expect creation of 12,000 net new jobs, while the unemployment rate is expected to remain unchanged at 5.9%.

U.S. and overseas

On Tuesday, the U.S. Conference Board releases its consumer confidence index for October. Economists expect a reading of 99.4, from 99.8 in September.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board announces its benchmark interest rate. Economists expect the federal funds rate to be cut 25 basis points to 4.5%.

The U.S. Department of Commerce releases advance figures for third-quarter gross domestic product. Economists expect annualized growth of 3.1%.

Separately, Commerce reports on construction spending for September. A decline of 0.5% is expected.

As well, the Chicago Purchasing Managers posts its index for October. Economists expect a reading of 53.

Overseas, the World Economic Forum launches its annual Global Competitiveness Report, Geneva.

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Labor reports initial jobless claims for the week ended Oct. 27. Economists forecast 325,000 claims.

On Friday, Labor reports on employment for October. Non-farm payrolls are seen increasing by 85,000; the unemployment rate is expected to remain unchanged at 4.7%.

As well, the U.S. Commerce Department reports on factory orders in September. A decrease of 0.4% is forecast.

Corporate earnings

Companies releasing quarterly earnings on Monday include: Canadian Pacific Railway; Fording Canadian Coal Trust; OPTI Canada; and West Fraser Timber.

Tuesda brings reports from: Davis + Henderson Income Fund; Enbridge Energy Partners LP; Inmet Mining; MacDonald Dettwiler; Sun Life Financial; and TimberWest Forest Corp.

The flow of earnings reports will be heaviest on Wednesday and Thursday.

Wednesday earnings scheduled reports include: Barrick Gold; Breakwater Resources; Brookfield Properties; Cameco; Canadian Oil Sands Trust; Canfor; Dalsa; Newmont Mining; Sherritt International; Silver Wheaton; Sunoco; Torstar; TSX Group; and Weyerhaeuser.

Thursday will see the release of earnings from Agrium; Canadian Natural Resources; Canam Group; Exxon Mobil; IGM Financial; Manitoba Telecom Services; Open Text Corp; Pengrowth Energy Trust; RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust; Rogers Communications; SNC-Lavalin Group; and Talisman Energy.

The flow of reports slows of Friday with reports from: Brookfield Asset Management; Canaccord Capital; Chevron; CML Healthcare; and Telus.