On Tuesday, Statistics Canada reports on manufacturing shipments for October. Economists forecast a drop of 1%.

On Wednesday, StatsCan reports on wholesale transactions for October. Economists expect a 0.8-per-cent drop.

Separately, StatsCan reports on international securities transactions for October. Economists are forecasting a net outflow of $1 billion.

On Thursday, Statistics Canada releases retail sales figures for October. Economists expect a 1% decrease from the previous month.

Separately, StatsCan reports on leading indicators for November. Economists forecast a decrease of 0.4%.

On Friday, Statistics Canada reports on the consumer price index for November. Economists expect a rise of 1.5% from a year earlier.

South of the border

On Monday, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board reports on industrial production and capacity utilization in November. Economists expect industrial production to fall 0.9%, and the capacity utilization rate to come in at 75.6%.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board announces its benchmark interest rate. Economists expect the federal funds rate to be cut 50 basis points to 0.5%.

Also, the U.S. Labour Department reports on the consumer price index for November. Economists expect a monthly drop of 1.2% and a year-over-year rise of 1.4%.

And the U.S. Commerce Department reports on housing starts and building permits figures for November. Economists forecast 730,000 starts and 700,000 permits, annualized.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Commerce Department reports on the current account balance for the third quarter. Economists expect a deficit of $179-billion (U.S.).

On Thursday, the U.S. Labour reports on initial jobless claims for the week ended Dec. 13. Economists forecast 553,000 claims, down from 573,000 a week earlier.

The U.S. Conference Board reports on the leading indicators in November. Economists expect a drop of 0.4%.

Corporate earnings

On Tuesday, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. releases fourth-quarter results. Other companies scheduled to report include Adobe Systems and Best Buy Co. Inc.

On Wednesday, Transat A.T. Inc. releases fourth-quarter results.

General Mills Inc. and Nike Inc. report on the second quarter.

On Thursday, Research In Motion Ltd. releases third-quarter results. Other companies scheduled to report include Rite Aid Corp.; FedEx Corp.; Palm Inc.; and Oracle Corp.

IE