On Monday, Statistics Canada reports on the gross domestic product data for the fourth quarter, and December GDP by industry. Economists expect an annualized 3.5% drop in quarterly GDP, and a drop of 0.6% in December.

On Tuesday, the Bank of Canada makes its latest interest rate announcement. Economists expect the target for the key overnight rate to be set at 0.5%, down from 1%.

On Thursday, Statistics Canada reports on building permits for January. Economists expect a drop of 3.5% from the previous month.

U.S. and overseas

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Commerce reports on personal income and spending for January. Economists forecast a drop in income of 0.2%, while personal spending is expected to increase by 0.4%.

The U.S. Commerce Department reports on construction spending for January. A drop of 1.5% is expected.

On Tuesday, the U.S. National Association of Realtors reports on pending home sales for January. Sales are expected to have fallen 3%, compared with a 6.3% increase the previous month.

Overseas, the Reserve Bank of Australia makes its interest rate announcement.

On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve releases its Beige Book survey of U.S. economic conditions.

On Thursday, the U.S. Labour Department reports on initial jobless claims for the week ended Feb. 28. Economists forecast 640,000 claims, down from 667,000 a week earlier.

Separately, Labour reports on productivity and costs for the fourth quarter. Economists forecast non-farm productivity gains of 1.6%, annualized. Unit labour costs are expected to have risen 3.4%.

The U.S. Department of Commerce reports on factory orders in January. Economists expect a 3.5% drop from the previous month.

Overseas, the Bank of England announces an interest rate decision.

The European Central Bank governing council meets, followed by an interest rate announcement.

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Labour releases employment data for February. Economists expect the jobless rate to rise to 7.9% from 7.6% the previous month. Non-farm payrolls are expected to shrink by 640,000 jobs.

The U.S. Federal Reserve Board releases consumer credit data for January. Economists expect a decrease of US$4 billion.

Corporate earnings

On Monday, HSBC Holdings PLC releases fourth-quarter results.

Other companies scheduled to report quarterly results include Morguard REIT, Northern Property REIT, Parkland Income Fund, Nortel Networks Corp., Pengrowth Energy Trust, and Vermilion Energy Trust.

On Tuesday, Bank of Montreal reports its first-quarter results, as does Bank of Nova Scotia.

On Wednesday, Laurentian Bank of Canada reports its first-quarter results.

Other companies releasing quarterly results include Ballard Power Systems Inc., Aecon Group Inc., Fairborne Energy Trust, Northgate Minerals Corp., Yamana Gold Inc. , Peyto Energy Trust, Trican Well Service Ltd., and Tundra Semiconductor Corp. reports.

On Thursday, Talisman Energy Inc. reports fourth-quarter results, as does Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., Algonquin Power Income Fund, Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Inc., Calfrac Well Services Ltd., Newalta Corp., Fort Chicago Energy Partners, Gabriel Resources Ltd., Total Energy Services Trust, and Constellation Software Inc.

On Friday, SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. reports quarterly results, as does Patheon Inc., First Capital Realty Inc., and Quadra Mining Ltd.