** OUTPUT OFF: The Federal Reserve is expected to report another decline in industrial production for February, the sixth drop in the last seven months.

TOMORROW

RISKY BUSINESS: The House Financial Services Committee, led by Bay State Congressman Barney Frank, holds a hearing to consider the regulation of systemic risks in the financial-services industry.

** TO THE CORE: Apple Inc., facing increased competition from cell-phone makers, gives a sneak peek of new software development kit for the iPhone at an invitation-only event.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18

ECONOMY: The Labor Department is expected to report that consumer prices rose in February for a second month as gas prices climbed. But Fed policy makers, unlikely to be worried about inflation, will keep their benchmark interest rate target unchanged at zero to 0.25 percent, economists said.

** Athletic apparel maker Nike Inc. releases fiscal third quarter financial results.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19

** Telecom equipment maker 3Com Corp., Bookseller Barnes & Noble Inc., video rental chain Blockbuster Inc. and shipper FedEx Corp. report fourth-quarter financial results.

- STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Send business events to outlook@bostonherald.com.

(c) 2009 Boston Herald. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.