On Monday, Statistics Canada reports on the new housing price index for March. Economists expect a drop of 0.5%.

On Tuesday, StatsCan reports on international merchandise trade for March. A surplus of $500 million is forecast.

On Friday, StatsCan releases its survey of manufacturing shipments for March. Economists forecast an increase of 1.3% from the previous month.

South of the border

On Monday, U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke delivers the keynote address at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s financial markets conference on Jekyll Island, Georgia.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Commerce Department reports on the trade balance for March. Economists expect a deficit of US$29.4 billion.

The U.S. Treasury Department releases it monthly budget statement for April. Economists expect a deficit of US$63 billion.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Commerce reports advance retail sales for April. Economists expect a 0.1% drop from the previous month.

Separately, Commerce reports on business inventories for March. A drop of 1.1% is forecast.

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Labour reports on the producer price index in April. Economists expect a rise of 0.1% from the previous month.

Separately, Labour reports on initial jobless claims for the week ended May 9.

On Friday, Labour reports on the consumer price index for April. Economists forecast no change from the previous month, and a 0.6% drop year-over-year.

The U.S. Federal Reserve Board reports on industrial production and capacity utilization in April. Economists expect industrial production to shrink by 0.5%, and the capacity utilization rate to fall to 68.9% from 69.3% the previous month.

Corporate earnings

On Monday, Great Canadian Gaming Corp. reports first-quarter results, as does Red Back Mining Inc., and ShawCor Ltd.

On Tuesday, CI Financial Corp. reports first-quarter results, as does George Weston Ltd., Alberta Clipper Energy Inc., Rona Inc., Quadra Mining Ltd., Russel Metals Inc., Arctic Glacier Income Fund, Baytex Energy Trust, Allied Properties REIT, CAP REIT, and Dundee Precious Metals Inc.

On Wednesday, ING Canada and parent ING Groep NV report first-quarter results, as does Quebecor Inc., Artis REIT, Corby Distilleries Ltd., and Freehold Royalty Trust, and Peyto Energy Trust.

On Thursday, Canadian Tire Corp. reports first quarter results, as does Chartwell Seniors Housing, Boardwalk REIT, Enerflex Systems Ltd., Energy Savings Income Fund, Finning International Inc., Flint Energy Services Ltd., FNX Mining Co. Ltd., Gildan Activewear Inc., Iamgold Corp., and Jazz Air Income Fund.

IE