Earnings highlights: Revised forecasts for Merck, Comcast, Target, ConAgra

Here are a few highlights of this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

Big Lots Inc. (NYSE: BIG) reported a record quarter due in part to improved distribution.
Blyth Inc. (NYSE: BTH) trounced EPS estimates and raised its guidance.
ConAgra Foods Inc. (NYSE: CAG) raised its earnings forecast for Q2 on strength in merchandising.
Donaldson Co. (NYSE: DCI) beat estimates due to strength in international markets.
J. Crew Group (NYSE: JCG) posted a solid quarter due to strength in both store and direct sales.
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. (NYSE: KKD) narrowed its loss, but foresees further store closures.
Liquidity Services Inc. (NASDAQ: LQDT) posted a strong quarter, benefiting from the sluggish economy.
Merck & Co. Inc.'s (NYSE: MRK) earnings forecasts for 2007 and 2008 fall short of expectations.
Netezza Corp. (NYSE: NZ) beat expectations of both earnings and revenue.
Palm Inc. (NASDAQ: PALM) forecast a loss for the current quarter due to product delays.
Royal Bank of Scotland's (NYSE: RBS) better-than-expected forecast buoyed European banks.
SeaChange International (NASDAQ: SEAC) reported a profit when analysts expected a loss.
Sigma Designs (NASDAQ: SIGM) had a "blowout" quarter, beating even the most optimistic analyst.
SkillSoft (NASDAQ: SKIL) beat expectations of both earnings and revenue.
Toll Brothers Inc. (NYSE: TOL) posted a lower-than-expected loss, its first quarterly loss in 21 years.

Also, Brian White looks at how loss of market share contributed to Dell Inc.'s (NASDAQ: DELL) recent results. Both Douglas McIntyre and Jim Cramer mull the effect on the cable industries of Comcast Corp.'s (NASDAQ: CMCSA) lowered guidance. And Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT) is among retailers warning about earnings in the current quarter.

Upcoming results to watch for include: H&R Block (NYSE: HRB), Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), Costco (NASDAQ: COST), and Lehman Bros. (NYSE: LEH).

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