FIVE BUSINESS EVENTS TO WATCH THIS WEEK

Home Capital settlement? A London, Ont., court will consider whether to approve a proposed settlement of an investor class-action lawsuit against Canada's biggest alternative lender on Monday. Shipping and shopping: Statistics Canada will release wholesale trade numbers on Monday and retail sales figures from June on Tuesday. It's the latest in a string of economic data that is being closely watched for signals on whether the Bank of Canada might hike interest rates again this fall.

More trouble for Sears Canada: Representatives for the embattled retailer will be in court in Toronto again Tuesday to discuss issues related to the company's corporate restructuring under creditor protection. On Friday, a judge approved a hardship fund that will provide a total of $500,000 to former employees that will come from a pool of money set aside to pay bonuses for key employees. NAFTA, NAFTA, NAFTA: The first round of trade talks in Washington, D.C., will continue to grab headlines — that is, if the controversy surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump and his tweets don't overshadow them. Trump's trade czar Robert Lighthizer kicked off talks by insisting on major changes to NAFTA. Inside the banks: Royal Bank will kick off the latest earnings season for the Big Five Canadian banks on Wednesday. Aside from their bottom lines, issues to watch include their take on the cooling housing market and the potential impact on their mortgage portfolios, as well as consumer debt levels and loan losses.