Most economists are forecasting that the Bank of Canada will hike interest rates when the bank announces its rate decision on Tuesday.

The central bank is widely expected to raise its key lending rate to 3% from 2.75%, the second consecutive rate hike in the past year.

Before September, the central bank had moved to the sidelines as a strong Canadian dollar slowed economic growth.

“The Bank of Canada will, to no surprise, deliver another quarter-point rate hike, and to the extent that it shows its hand, predict more to come,” said Avery Shenfeld, senior economist at CIBC World Markets Inc. in a written commentary.

On Monday, the Conference Board of Canada releases its annual socio-economic report card for the country, Performance and Potential 2005-2006.

On Tuesday, Statistics Canada reports on Canada’s international transactions in securities in August. Economists expect a net inflow of $3.3-billion.

Also Tuesday, StatsCan reports on the leading indicators in September. Economists expect a rise of 0.3% from the previous month.

On Wednesday, Statistics Canada reports on wholesale trade in August. Economists expect a 0.6% increase from the previous month.

On Thursday, the Bank of Canada releases its Monetary Policy Report.

On Friday, Statistics Canada reports on retail trade in August. Economists expect a drop of 0.4% from July.

South of the border, the New York Federal Reserve Bank releases the Empire State index of manufacturing activity in October on Monday. Economists expect a reading of 19, from 17 the previous month.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Labor Department reports on the producer price index in September. Economists expect a rise of 1.1%.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Commerce Department reports on housing starts and building permits in September. Economists expect annualized rates of 1,970,000 and 2,058,000, respectively.

Separately, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board publishes its Beige Book, a compilation of anecdotal information on current economic conditions in its 12 districts.

On Thursday, the U.S. Labor Department reports on initial jobless claims in the week ending Oct. 15. Economists expect 370,000 claims, from 389,000 the previous week.

Separately, the U.S. Conference Board reports on the leading indicators in September. Economists expect a drop of 0.5%.

The Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank issues its regional factory index for October. Economists expect a reading of 10.

Earnings reports will keep traders hopping this week, as a quarter of the U.S. companies listed on the S&P 500 composite index open the books on their financial results.

In total, 126 of S&P 500 companies will release earnings, including 15 components of the Dow Jones industrial average.

In Canada, Canadian National Railway Co., Husky Energy Inc., Celestica Inc., Imperial Oil Ltd., and TransAlta Corp. will report their earnings.

General Motors Corp., Citigroup Inc., and Wachovia Corp. report on Monday.

On Tuesday, Canadian National Railway Co. and Husky Energy Inc. reports third-quarter results.

On Wall Street, the reporting issuers include Intel Corp., Motorola Inc., Yahoo Inc., Mellon Financial Corp., 3M Co., Johnson & Johnson, and Wells Fargo & Co.

On Wednesday Nova Chemicals Corp. reports third-quarter results.

Other reports are due from Bank of America Corp., E*Trade Financial Corp., eBay Inc., Eastman Kodak Co., General Dynamics Corp. and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

On Thursday, Imperial Oil Ltd. report third-quarter earnings, as does Celestica Inc., Sears Canada Inc., and Transalta Corp.

On Wall Street, earnings releases are scheduled from Google Inc., Coca-Cola Co., Ford Motor Co., Nokia Corp., Pfizer Inc., and Dow Jones & Co. Inc.

Friday brings reports from AT&T Corp., Caterpillar Inc., and Xerox Corp.