Traders will be kept busy by a full slate of quarterly earnings releases this week, as well as an interest rate announcement from the U.S. Federal Reserve.

On Thursday, Statistics Canada reports on the industrial product and raw materials price indexes for September. Economists expect industrial product prices to decline 0.5% from the previous month and the raw materials prices to drop 4.3%.

On Friday, Stats Can reports on gross domestic product by industry in August. Economists forecast a drop of 0.3% from the previous month.

South of the border

On Monday, the U.S. Commerce reports on new home sales in September. Economists expect a drop of 2.2% to 450,000 homes, annualized.

On Tuesday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and International Monetary Fund first deputy managing director John Lipsky are among speakers at the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) annual meeting in New York.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board announces its decision on short-term interest rates. Economists expect the rate to drop to 1% from 1.5%.

Also, the U.S. Commerce Department reports on durable goods orders for September. Economists expect a 1-per-cent drop.

On Thursday, Commerce releases final figures on the gross domestic product for the third quarter. Economists expect a drop an annualized drop of 0.5%.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Labour reports on initial jobless claims for the week ended Oct. 25. Economists forecast 473,000 claims.


On Friday, the U.S. Department of Commerce reports on personal income and spending for September. Economists forecast income will rise 0.1%, while personal spending is expected to fall 0.2%.

Corporate earnings

On Monday, Consumers’ Waterheater Income Fund releases third-quarter results, as does Toromont Industries Ltd., West Fraser Timber Co., Loews Corp., and Verizon.

On Tuesday, quarterly reports are expected from Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd., Rogers Communications Inc., TransCanada Corp., Canfor Pulp Income Fund, Inmet Mining Corp., Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund, Sierra Wireless Inc., QLT Inc., BP Plc, Honda Motor Co. Ltd., Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Panasonic Corp., and United States Steel Corp.

On Wednesday, the earnings calendar include reports from
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd., Astral Media Inc., Maple Leaf Foods, Suncor Energy, Brookfield Properties Corp., Canadian Oil Sands Trust, Nexen, Opti Canada Inc., and Visa Inc.

On Thursday, Barrick Gold releases third-quarter results, as does Breakwater Resources Ltd., Great-West Lifeco Inc., Canfor Corp., Cogeco Inc., Cogeco Cable Inc., Torstar Corp., Fraser Papers Inc., Transalta Corp., and Imperial Oil Ltd.

On Friday, SNC-Lavalin Group releases third-quarter results, as does Eldorado Gold Corp., Fortis Inc., Chevron, and NYSE Euronext.