On Monday, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. reports on housing starts for November. Annualized starts of 199,000 are forecast, down from 211,800 in October.

On Tuesday, the Bank of Canada makes its interest rate announcement. Economists expect the target for the key overnight rate to be set at 1.75%, down from 2.25%.

On Wednesday, StatsCan releases data on third-quarter labour productivity.

On Thursday, StatsCan reports on international merchandise trade for October. Economists expect a surplus of $3.3 billion, down from $4.5 billion in September.

Separately, StatsCan reports on October’s new housing price index. Economists forecast no change, compared with a 0.1% increase in September.


On Friday, StatsCan reports on the capacity utilization rate for the third quarter. A figure of 78.3% is expected, down from 78.9% in the previous quarter.

South of the border

On Tuesday, the U.S. National Association of Realtors reports on pending home sales for October. Sales are expected to have fallen 2.9%, up from a 4.6-per-cent decrease the previous month.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Commerce reports wholesale inventories for October. Economists expect a drop of 0.2% from the previous month.

The U.S. Treasury releases its monthly budget statement for November. Economists expect a deficit of US$189 billion, compared with a $98.2 billion deficit the previous month.

On Thursday, the U.S. Commerce Dept. reports on the trade balance for October. Economists forecast the trade deficit narrowing to US$53.5 billion from US$56.5 billion in September.

The U.S. Department of Labour reports on initial jobless claims for the week ended Dec. 6. Economists forecast 525,000 claims, up from 509,000 a week earlier. Friday, Dec. 12


On Friday, the U.S. Labour Dept. reports on the producer price index in November. Economists expect a monthly decrease of 1.8% and a year-over-year increase of 0.2%.

The U.S. Commerce Dept. reports advance retail sales for November. A 1.8% decrease is expected.

Separately, Commerce reports on business inventories for October. Economists expect a drop of 0.2%.

Corporate earnings

On Monday, Kroger Co. releases third-quarter results.

On Wednesday, Harry Winston Diamond Corp., as does Evertz Technologies Ltd.

On Thursday, Empire Co. Ltd. releases results, as does Transcontinental Inc. (the parent company of Investment Executive), Gildan Activewear Inc., Lululemon Athletica Inc., Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc., and Costco Wholesale Corp.

On Friday, Patheon Inc. releases fourth-quarter results.