On Monday, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. reports on housing starts in February. Economists expect 148,500 starts, annualized, down from 153,500 in January.

On Wednesday, Statistics Canada reports on January’s new housing price index. Economists forecast a 0.3% drop.

On Thursday, David Longworth, deputy governor of the Bank of Canada, addresses the Financial Markets Association of Canada in Toronto about policy responses to the current economic crisis.

On Friday, StatsCan releases its labour force survey for February. Economists expect the unemployment rate to rise to 7.4 cent from 7.2% the previous month; job losses are forecast at about 40,000.

Separately, StatsCan issues international merchandise trade data for January. A deficit of $800 million is expected, up from $500 million the previous month.

South of the border

On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Commerce reports on wholesale inventories for January. Economists expect a drop of 1%.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Treasury Department releases its monthly budget statement for February. Economists expect a deficit of US$203 billion.

On Thursday, the U.S. Labour Department reports on initial jobless claims for the week ended March 7. Economists forecast 640,000 claims, up from 639,000 a week earlier.

The U.S. Department of Commerce reports advance retail sales for February. Economists expect a drop of 0.5%.

Separately, Commerce reports on business inventories for January. A decline of 1.1% is forecast.

On Friday, Commerce reports on the trade balance for January. Economists forecast the trade deficit narrowing to US$38 billion from US$39.9 billion in December.

The International Energy Agency publishes its monthly oil market report.

Corporate earnings

On Tuesday, Allied Properties REIT releases fourth-quarter share results, as does Primaris REIT, Savanna Energy Services Corp., Baytex Energy Trust, Zargon Energy Trust, and Uni-Sélect Inc.

Evertz Technologies Ltd. reports third-quarter results.

On Wednesday, Empire Co. reports third-quarter results.

Highpine Oil & Gas Ltd fourth-quarter results, as does Points International Ltd., Descartes Systems Group Inc., American Eagle Outfitters Inc., and Staples Inc.

On Thursday, Imax Corp. reports a fourth-quarter results, as does Provident Energy Trust, Grey Wolf Exploration Inc., Transforce Inc., and Volkswagen AG.

MDS Inc. reports first-quarter results.

IE