Calendar

BRITISH INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION
Mar. 10, 9:30 a.m. EST
After a weak December, economists are expecting slowed growth in production rates for January to continue, holding the year-over-year rate to 0.3% and indicating an economic slowdown for Britain.

PRIMARY TUESDAY
Mar. 11
In Mississippi, Senator Hillary Clinton will look to keep her momentum following crucial wins in Texas and Ohio, while Senator Barack Obama will try to maintain his lead in delegates.

U.S. TRADE DEFICIT
Mar. 11, 8:30 a.m. EST
Economists expect higher imported energy prices will lead to a larger February trade deficit. However, the longer-term export boom will likely continue as the falling dollar makes the price of U.S. goods and services cheaper to foreigners.

KROGER (KR)
Mar. 11, 10 a.m. EST
Investors will focus on whether higher food prices eat into the grocery chain's fourth-quarter profit margins. Analysts are forecasting earnings per share will be off nearly 6% from a year ago.

STANDARD LIFE
Mar. 12, 10 a.m. EST
The British insurance company announces full-year 2007 results. Profits are expected to be flat vs. 2006 due in part to a big drop in new pension and life insurance sales during the last quarter of the year.

LATIN GROWTH
Mar. 12, 8 a.m. EST
Economic growth numbers will come out this week for two of Latin America's largest economic powers. Brazil will be reporting first, with consumer spending expected to be strong: Economists believe GDP will grow to 4.5%. Argentina's economic output is expected to slow in 2008 to around 6% as the government takes steps to correct price distortions. The effort includes easing extensive price controls that have been keeping official inflation figures artificially low.

RETAIL SALES
Mar. 13, 8:30 a.m. EST
Despite fears of a recession, retail sales are projected to grow at a clip of 0.3% in February. However, when one takes inflation into account, consumer spending on goods and services has slowed sharply over the last year.

LIZ CLAIBORNE (LIZ)
Mar. 14
With weak winter sales, earnings are declining at the apparel maker. After missing analyst forecasts in the third quarter, profits are expected to keep dropping—to 19 cents a share for the final quarter of 2007.

IRANIAN ELECTIONS
Mar. 14
Iran's new parliament will be elected this week. It will have to deal with international sanctions as part of an ongoing investigation into the country's nuclear energy research.

INFLATION PRESSURES
Mar. 14, 8:30 a.m. EST
The February consumer price index is expected to show little easing in inflationary pressures. Even outside of food and energy, inflation is likely running at an elevated year-over-year pace of above 2%.