Below are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage on BloggingStocks. Click through to the original posts for more details.

• Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF) shares sold off after it posted a narrower Q1 net loss, but same-store sales rose.
• Applied Materials Inc. (AMAT) swung from a year-ago loss to a Q2 profit that was better than expected.
• Deere & Co. (DE) reported better-than-expected Q2 earnings and improved sales, and raised its full-year outlook.
• Dell Inc. (DELL) posted better-than-expected Q1 earnings, but the gross margin was disappointing, and shares fell.
• GameStop Corp. (GME) higher Q1 earnings beat consensus estimates but same-store sales declined.
• Gap Inc. (GPS) said its higher Q1 earnings beat expectations while revenue fell in line with estimates.

Some investors have already made up their minds the stock market rally is over. Others are convinced there's nowhere to go but up. Both views are oversimplified market predictions, considering the complicated economic environment.

A closer look at the latest stock market news proves that while things aren't all coming up roses on Wall Street, there are plenty of reasons to be cautiously optimistic the bull market will continue. Here are three of the latest reasons we learned about in the past few days: strong retail sales, strength in one of the worst housing markets and significant increases in corporate spending and dividends.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage on BloggingStocks:

• American International Group Inc. (AIG) posted a big loss and warned it may require additional assistance.
• Athenahealth (ATHN) shares sank after it delayed earnings and its annual report, and warned of restatements.
• Barnes & Noble Inc. (BKS) Q3 sales jumped on popularity of the Nook reader but same-store sales declined.
• Brocade Communications Systems Inc. (BRCD) disappointing report and guidance caused a sell-off in shares.
• Dell Inc. (DELL) acquisitions and better-than-expected earnings may not be enough to stop shrinking market share.
• Gap Inc. (GPS) rose after it beat earnings estimates, raised its dividend and announced stock buybacks.

Last week, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT), the world's largest retailer, led off the coming parade of earnings reports from retailers by posting disappointing fourth quarter results. JCPenney (JCP), on the other hand, easily topped earnings expectations.

Many more shopping mall and strip mall stalwarts are scheduled to report results this week. The expectations of analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters are high for the likes of Sears Holdings Corp. (SHLD) and Macy's Inc. (M), RadioShack Corp. (RSH) and America's Car Mart Inc. (CRMT), to Caribou Coffee Co. Inc. (CBOU) and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. (CBRL), all expected to report double-digit earnings growth year over year. Here's a look a few of the biggest anticipated earnings winners reporting this week.

Even thought its more than 30 years old, Express continues to be a relevant specialty fashion retailer. In fact, it is ranked the number six player in the U.S., with 573 stores.

So this week, Express filed to go public. The company expects to raise $200 million.

Express focuses on a tough demographic; that is, women and men between the ages of 20 and 30. Yes, this is part of the so-called Gen Y crowd, which can be fickle. But it is also a large market and will continue to grow.

Lingerie is another popular V-Day gift, and Limited Brands (LTD) has the inside track on these sales with its Victoria's Secret stores.

Limited's same-store sales were up 6% in January, thanks to a 17% increase at Victoria's Secret outlets. That's a trend you can take to the bank in February and beyond.

Next: Priceline.com (PCLN)

At the time of this writing, Louis Navellier did not own shares of LTD in personal or client portfolios.

The Limited Brands (LTD), which operates both Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works, is a sold big cap play in the retail apparel sector," says Leo Fasccioco.

In his Ticker Tape Digest, the technician focuses on stocks that have broken out of basing patterns. He says, "The stock's 12-week, 'W' base is picture perfect. The breakout on the gap move is ideal."

Retailers appear to have been rescued at the last minute, according to data from the International Council of Shopping Centers. Shoppers looking for deals the week before Christmas -- and making up for the day lost to stormy weather on the East Coast -- spent aggressively, sparing the retail sector a dismal 2008-like performance.

The healthy conclusion to the holiday season led to a positive change from November and made December one of only three months (including September and October) in which retail sales increased year-over-year.

Sluggish retail sales in November didn't stop retailers from adding bodies. A report by outplacement consulting company Challenger, Gray & Christmas, reavealed to BloggingStocks, shows that retail sector payrolls grew to 321,300 in November, an improvement from the previous month's 233,700. This follows 54,200 retail hires in October, bringing the total number of seasonal retail employees up to 375,500. Already, that comes close to the 384,300 hired from October through December in 2008. The analysis is based on data supplied by the Department of Labor.

High expectations for the holiday season likely contributed to the up-tick in hiring. The estimated 0.5% growth from Black Friday 2008 to Black Friday 2009 was a disappointment, and November sales were off 0.3%, surprising analysts, who expected the trend to go in the other direction. Costco (COST) and Limited Brands (LTD) came out ahead, but most retailers, including Target (TGT) and Macy's (M) struggled. Saks (SKS) is also suffering from an anemic luxury goods market.