MONDAY
In Brussels, finance ministers of the euro zone meet to discuss the Greek debt crisis. According to French daily Le Monde, a deal could be agreed in principle today, with two plans of action on the table. The first is a series of loans by European partner countries. The second would see the European Commission borrow money on markets and extend low-interest loans to Greece that would be guaranteed by EU states. Implementing the latter approach would require the assent of skeptics in Britain and Sweden because the commission acts for all 27 EU member states, not only the 16 that share the euro.
Companies reporting: Patheon, First Quantum, Ensign
TUESDAY
Meetings in Brussels are slated to continue. Bailouts aside, Greece's economic viability hinges in part on its ability to reduce costs that have sent debt ballooning to $413-billion (U.S.), or 12 per cent of GDP.
The U.S. Federal Reserve Board announces its decision on interest rates. The central bank's statement will be closely watched for signs about when borrowing costs will rise.
The U.S. Commerce Department releases housing-starts data for February.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner testifies about the budget.
OPEC oil ministers meet.
Companies reporting: Timminco, Ivanhoe Energy and Discover Financial.
WEDNESDAY
As the Bank of Japan's two-day policy meeting ends, investors expect the central bank will ease monetary policy. The Japanese Prime Minister and Finance Minister piled pressure on the central bank on Friday, saying the government and the BOJ should work together to beat deflation. Japan's leading business daily, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, reported that the BOJ would double its ¥10-trillion ($113-billion Canadian) offering under its lending operation. Given the country's debt, nearing 200 per cent of GDP, and already rock-bottom interest rates, the bank has little at its disposal.
Companies reporting: Transcontinental, Garda, Petrobank Energy, Sprott Resource, Nike.
THURSDAY
Investors will sift through a raft of reports on the U.S. economy this morning: 1. Labour Department releases weekly jobless claims.
2. Labour Department releases the consumer price index for February.
3. Commerce Department releases the current account trade deficit for the fourth quarter.
Companies reporting financial results include MacDonald Dettwiler, Aurizon Mines, Connacher Oil and Gas and FedEx.
FRIDAY
A little inflation is a good thing - it's a sign the economy is growing. But an unexpected jump in prices is a symptom of an overheated economy and can upset a central bank's interest-rate plan. No one is expecting anything overheated when Statscan releases the consumer price index for February.
Prices, excluding volatile energy and food, are expected to be 0.3 per cent higher. "Prices seem to be rising again for items such as autos and houses, which will help lift core CPI," said Krishen Rangasamy of CIBC World Markets. The inflation figures are released at 7. a.m. (ET).