Events planned in the business week ahead

Kforce expects strong earnings

Tampa professional staffing firm Kforce Inc. releases earnings for the quarter ended Dec. 31 on Tuesday. The company expects revenue to come in above its guidance range of $230 million to $238 million. And it expects earnings per share to top its guidance range of 10 to 14 cents, excluding a noncash impairment charge. Get more information at www.kforce.com under "investor relations."

GeoPharma results for quarter due

Largo-based GeoPharma Inc. hosts a conference call Wednesday to discuss its performance for the third quarter ended Dec. 31. Financial results will be released after the market closes with a conference call to follow at 4:35 p.m. Company shares have traded for less than $1 since last fall. Listen to the call on the Web at gorx.client.shareholder.com.

Progress to discuss full-year results

Progress Energy on Thursday will release its fourth-quarter and 2008 earnings. The Raleigh, N.C., company, which owns St. Petersburg utility Progress Energy Florida, will host a conference call to discuss earnings at 10 a.m. Listen by dialing (913) 312-1447, confirmation code 2870464. A Web cast can be viewed at www.progress-energy.com/webcast.

Economist to offer housing advice

Nobel Prize-winning economist Vernon Smith discusses turmoil in the U.S. economy at the University of South Florida College of Business at 10 a.m. Friday in a lecture, "The Housing Bubble That Engulfed the Economy." Among the ideas he is expected to offer: ways to limit systemic risk, privatizing what's left of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and letting bankruptcies happen. Call (813) 974-0022.