Investors get to review more evidence on the health of the on the U.S. economy in the coming week, as well as results from the start of the first quarter earnings season.

North American markets are closed for Good Friday.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. releases housing starts data for March on Monday. Economists expect 230,000 annualized starts.

On Tuesday, Statistics Canada releases new housing price index figures for February. Economists forecast a 0.5% increase from January.

Separately, StatsCan also issues data on investment in non-residential building construction for the first quarter.

Also Tuesday, the Conference Board of Canada releases its report: Canadian Outlook — Spring 2006.

On Wednesday, StatsCan releases data on Canadian international merchandise trade for February. Economists forecast a surplus of $6.2 billion.

On Thursday, StatsCan releases the monthly survey of manufacturing for February. Economists expect a 0.4% increase in shipments from January.

South of the border

The flow of economic reports doesn’t start until Wednesday, when the U.S. Commerce Department releases trade balance figures for February. Economists forecast a goods and services trade deficit of US$67 billion.

On Thursday, the U.S. Commerce Department releases retail sales figures for March. Economists forecast an increase of 0.5%.

Separately, Commerce issues business inventories data February. Economists forecast a 0.3% rise.

Also, the U.S. Department of Labor issues initial jobless claim figures for the week ended April 8. Economists forecast 302,000 new claims.

Among the companies reporting this week are: Cogeco Inc., Alcoa Inc., Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc., CHUM Ltd., Corus Entertainment Inc., Shaw Communications Inc., and New York Times Co.

CI Financial Inc. releases its third-quarter results on Tuesday.