Investors will be looking closely at the key U.S. employment report due Friday, while the Bank of Canada is widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged on Tuesday.

On Monday, Statistics Canada releases December 2004 gross domestic product by industry figures and 2004 fourth-quarter national economic and financial accounts.

StatsCan releases the January 2005 industrial product and raw materials price index on Tuesday, while the Bank of Canada makes the second of its eight interest-rate announcements for 2005.

Economists expect the central bank to keep interest rates on hold.

On Wednesday, the Investment Funds Institute of Canada will release its preliminary estimates of mutual fund sales for February.

South of the border, the U.S. Commerce Department reports on personal income and spending for January on Monday.

On Tuesday, the Institute for Supply Management issues its report on activity in the manufacturing economy during February.

U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan testifies before the House budget committee on the economy on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the U.S. Labor Department reports on productivity and costs for the fourth quarter.

As well, the biggest U.S. retailers announce their sales figures for February.

On Friday, the U.S. Labor Department reports on employment for February, while the U.S. Commerce Department reports on factory orders for January.

In earnings new, cancer drug developer AEterna Zentaris holds conference call for fourth-quarter and year-end earnings on Monday.

Also reporting results are Davis and Henderson, NQL Drilling Tools, Kinloch Resources, and Angiotech Pharmaceuticals.

U.S. financial reports are expected from H. J. Heinz Co. and Tiffany & Co.

On Tuesday, the Bank of Nova Scotia releases financial results and holds its 173rd annual meeting in Halifax.

As well Desjardins Group releases financial results, and Ainsworth Lumber releases its fourth-quarter earnings report.

On Wedneday, -financial results are expected from Alcan spinoff Novelis, real estate firm MI Developments and oil and natural gas producer Talisman Energy Inc.

Optimal Group will release fourth-quarter results on Thurday. Financial reports are also expected from Certicom, Bennett Environmental, the Luscar Energy Parntership, Cinram International, and Borealis Retail REIT.

As well, Calfrac Well Services releases fourth-quarter earnings before markets open.

On Friday, CAP REIT, Canada’s largest residential landlord, holds conference call for fourth-quarter and year-end results.

Also releasing results are InnVest REIT, Sleep Country and the FP Newspapers Income Fund.