It’s a fairly quiet week for Canadian economic news, but a full slate of data from south of the border will give investors a better picture of the state of the U.S. economy.

On Monday, Statistics Canada posts the new-housing price index for April. Economists expect a rise of 0.3%.

Separately, StatsCan reports on the capacity utilization rate for the first quarter. Economists expect a rate of 83.5%, from 82.5% in the previous quarter.

On Tuesday, the statistical agency reports on first-quarter labour productivity. Economists expect an increase of 0.7%, compared with a gain of 0.3% in the previous quarter.

On Wednesday, StatsCan reports on manufacturing shipments for April. Economists expect a monthly increase of 0.5%.

As well, Bank of Canada Governor David Dodge addresses St. John’s Board of Trade.

Meanwhile, The Conference Board of Canada releases its 11th annual socio-economic benchmarking analysis of Canada’s performance compared with other developed countries.

On Friday, Statistics Canada reports on new motor vehicle sales for April. Economists expect an increase of 7%.

South of the border

On Wednesday, the U.S. Commerce Department reports on advance retail sales for May. Economists expect a rise of 0.7%.

Separately, Commerce reports on business inventories for April. Economists expect an increase of 0.3%.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board issues its Beige Book, a summary of economic conditions in the 12 Fed districts.

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Labor reports on the producer price index for May. Economists expect a 0.5% monthly increase.

Separately, Labor reports for initial jobless claims for the week ended June 9. Economists forecast 312,000 claims.

On Friday, the U.S. Labor Department reports on the consumer price index for May. Economists expect an increase of 2.6% over a year ago.

The U.S. Federal Reserve Board reports on industrial production and the capacity utilization rate for May.

Fed chairman Ben Bernanke addresses Federal the Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

The University of Michigan’s preliminary index of consumer sentiment for June is expected to show a reading of 88, down slightly from 88.3 the previous month.

Corporate earnings

Two Wall Street financial services giants release second-quarter results. Lehman Bros. reports on Tuesday and Goldman Sachs on Thursday.

Transcontinental Inc., the parent company of Investment Executive, releases its second-quarter earnings on Thursday.