Analysts expect phosphates producer Innophos Inc. (NASDAQ: IPHS) to report first-quarter earnings of $1.27 per share, which is 65.1% higher than a year ago. Revenue for the quarter is expected to be 10.6% higher, or $179.8 million. Innophos earnings have topped expectations in the past four quarters. The long-term EPS growth forecast is 23.0%, which is much better than the industry average. The First Call consensus recommendation is to buy IPHS; the Motley Fool recognized it as a stock poised to pop. For the past two years, Innophos has paid a quarterly dividend of $0.17 per share. Shares have bounced back from the 52-week low of $7.59 back in March, and at $15.33 is still 22.6% lower than a year ago.

For its fiscal second quarter, Hewitt Associates Inc. (NYSE: HEW), a global human resources consulting and outsourcing company, is expected to report a profit 32.7% higher than a year ago, or $0.55 per share. But revenue is expected to be 2.4% lower to $754.5 million. Hewitt only fell short of earnings expectations once in the past five quarters, and then by only a penny a share. The long-term EPS growth forecast is 13.7% and the forward PE ratio estimate is 12.0. The Motley Fool recently recognized Hewitt as a stock ready to run. The share price is 10.9% higher since the beginning of the year to $31.47, but that's still 24.9% lower than a year ago.

For a first quarter that saw Tower Group Inc. (NASDAQ: TWGP) complete an acquisition, analysts expect the New York-based commercial insurer to report a profit of $0.81 per share, which is 25.8% higher than a year ago. Revenue is expected to be 106.9% higher to $228.7 million. Tower has beat earnings expectations in the past four quarters, by as much as 10.9%. The long-term EPS growth forecast is 22.5%, which is better than that of rival Allstate Corp. (NYSE: ALL). When it reported fourth quarter results, Tower had more cash on hand than debt. Tower also has paid a $0.05 per share quarterly dividend for more than a year. The consensus recommendation is to buy TWGP. The share price hit a 52-week high of $31.05 in early January, and closed Friday at $27.74.

New York-based Steven Madden Ltd. (NASDAQ: SHOO), producer of Candies and other footwear lines found in such stores as Nordstrom, is expected to report first-quarter earnings of $0.36 per share (+30.6%) on revenue of $106.6 million (+6.1%). These estimates are in line with Steven Madden's preliminary results. The company's earnings have topped expectations in four of the past five quarters. The long-term EPS growth forecast is 15.0% and the forward PE ratio estimate is 15.0. For the past two years, Steven Madden has reported being debt free. The consensus recommendation remains to buy SHOO; Zacks called it a powerful buy. The better-than-expected preliminary results and raised guidance sent shares to a 52-week high of $30.39 last week.

Alpha Natural Resources Inc. (NYSE: ANR) is a Virginia-based coal producer. For its first quarter, the company's profit is expected to have risen 20.4% to $0.49 per share, while the revenue estimate, at $520.9 million, is about the same as a year ago. Alpha Natural's profits have topped expectations in three of the past four quarters. The long-term EPS growth forecast is 23.0%. The forward PE ratio estimate is 11.0, which is higher than the industry average. Analysts on average recommend buying ANR. While shares are 44.4% higher since the beginning of the year, they are still well off the 52-week high of $119.30.

Other companies expected to post higher profits this week include Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK.A), DirecTV Group Inc. (NASDAQ: DTV), Molson-Coors Brewing Co. (NYSE: TAP), PG&E Corp. Holding Co. (NYSE: PCG), Ralcorp Holdings Inc. (NYSE: RAH), and Sohu.com Inc. (NASDAQ: SOHU). And analysts are looking for Sunoco Inc. (NYSE: SUN) to have swung to a profit.

Elsewhere on the economic calendar: at the Bank of Chicago 45th Annual Conference, FDIC Chair Sheila C. Bair speaks Thursday afternoon and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner speaks Friday morning.

Due out Monday morning are numbers for construction spending and pending home sales for March.

Employment data due this week include the Challenger job-cut announcement for April on Wednesday morning, Monster Employment Index for April on Thursday morning, and employment situation numbers for April on Friday morning.

Also look for the ISM Nonmanufacturers Survey for April on Monday morning, preliminary productivity and costs for the first quarter on Thursday morning, consumer credit for March on Thursday afternoon, and wholesale trade numbers for March on Friday morning.

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.