US retail sales are expected to fall 0.4 percent for a second month in a row. Excluding autos, a 0.4 percent decline is also expected, this following February's 0.1 percent dip.

Import prices have been edging lower and are expected to fall 0.2 percent on the month in March after a 0.1 percent dip. Export prices are also expected to fall 0.2 percent versus the prior month's 0.2 percent increase.

US Industrial production is forecast to rise 0.3 percent on the month in March after February's no change. Manufacturing output is seen down 0.1 percent after edging 0.1 percent higher in February.

Business inventories in February are expected to rise 0.3 percent following a 0.1 percent draw in January.

The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index is expected to pick up only slightly to 62.7 in the first reading for April after slumping 5 points in March to 62.0. The US banking sector turmoil had limited impact on consumer sentiment in March but there are signs that consumers increasingly expect a recession ahead, the university said last month.

In Canada, manufacturing sales are expected to fall 2.8 percent in February after jumping 4.1 percent in January.

Market Focus details key factors in the coming day that will impact the economic outlook and the financial markets. These include central bank events, economic indicators, policymaker speeches as well as expected political and corporate developments.

Keeping up-to-date with event schedules and the economic calendar is key to understanding the global financial system. Econoday's Market Focus allows investors and policymakers to carefully track what will be making news and moving the financial markets in the coming day.