Canada’s employment report for January caps off a very busy week for corporate earnings releases.

On Monday, the Ivey Purchasing Managers index for January is released. A reading of 52 is forecast, up from 49.4 the previous month.

On Tuesday, Statistics Canada reports building permits data for December. Economists forecast a decline of 2.5%, compared with an increase of 3% the previous month.

Also Tuesday, Bank of Canada Deputy Governor David Longworth speaks on Promoting Stability, Confidence and Well-being, as part of the Bank’s Outreach Program, Waterloo, Ont.

On Thursday, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. reports on housing starts for January. Economists are expecting 215,500 annualized starts, up from a revised figure of 212,600 a month earlier.

Meanwhile, StatsCan releases the new-housing price index for December. Economists expect a 0.5% monthly increase, compared with the same increase a month earlier.

On Friday, StatsCan releases its labour force survey for January. Economists forecast an annualized unemployment rate of 6.1%, unchanged from the previous month, and expect a net monthly gain of 12,000 jobs.

South of the border

On Monday, the U.S. Institute for Supply Management releases its non-manufacturing index for January. A reading of 57 is expected, up slightly from a revised figure of 56.7 a month earlier.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board releases consumer credit data for December. Economists expect a figure of US$6 billion, compared with US$12.3-billion a month earlier.

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Labor reports for initial jobless claims for the week ended Feb. 3. Economists forecast 310,000 claims compared with 307,000 in the previous week.

The U.S. Commerce Dept. reports wholesale inventories for December. Economists expect a gain of 0.6%, compared with 1.3% the previous month.


Earnings

It’s a very busy week for corporate earnings releases, especially for Canadian companies. Among the firm scheduled for report are:

  • Husky Energy Inc.
    Toromont Industries Ltd.;
  • Bowater Inc.;
  • BP PLC ;
  • Cameco Corp.;
  • Centerra Gold Inc.;
  • Cisco Systems Inc.;
  • Domtar Inc.;
  • RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust ;
  • Saputo Inc.;
  • Westport Innovations Inc.;
  • Abitibi-Consolidated Inc.;
  • BCE Inc.;
  • Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc.;
  • Tim Hortons Inc.;
  • Axcan Pharma Inc.;
  • CAE Inc.;
  • Canadian Tire;
  • Gluskin Sheff + Associates Inc.;
  • Héroux-Devtek Inc.;
  • Loblaw Cos. Ltd.;
  • Shoppers Drug Mart Corp.;
  • ;
  • Sun Life Financial Inc.;
  • Thomson Corp.;
  • TimberWest Forest Corp.;
  • Vitran Corp. Inc.;
  • ACE Aviation Holdings Inc.;
  • Air Canada;
  • International Forest Products Ltd.; and
  • Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.