Earnings reports continue to dribble in as the quarter winds down. Much of the attention this week will be on homebuilders KB Home (NYSE: KBH) and Lennar Corp. (NYSE: LEN) as investors look for any sign that the housing sector has bottomed (home sales numbers are also due out this week; see below). Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial anticipate that both companies will report that they narrowed their losses in the most recent quarter.

KB Home's expected $1.25 per share loss, on revenue of $725.5 million, compares to the previous quarter loss of $3.30 and to a year-ago loss of $6.19. However, KB Home's losses in the past few quarters have been deeper than expected. The Los Angeles-based homebuilder's long-range earnings growth forecast is 10.5%, less than the S&P 500. Analysts continue to recommend holding KB Home, and have for at least 120 days. Shares, however, reached a new 52-week high of $31.69 on Friday, and they are up 10.5% year to date.

Lennar is expected to post a loss of 52 cents per share, on revenue of $1.1 billion. That compares to the previous quarter's per-share loss of 76 cents and to a year-ago loss of $3.25. While Lennar also has tended in the past few quarters to miss expectations, the Miami-based company managed a positive surprise in the first quarter of 2008. Lennar's long-range earnings growth forecast is 10.3%, about the same as KB Home's. Analysts also recommend holding Lennar. Friday, shares of Lennar also reached a 52-week high, $27.75, but they are down 6.4% year to date.

AZZ incorporated (NYSE: AZZ) makes electrical products that distribute power to and from generators, transformers, switching devices, and other electrical configurations. It also offers lighting products for the petroleum, food processing, and power generation industries. Its Galvanizing Services segment provides hot dip galvanizing to the steel fabrication industry. Competitors include General Electric (NYSE: GE) and Eaton Corporation (NYSE: ETN).

The company pleased investors late last month, when it reported fiscal Q1 EPS of 82 cents and revenues of $100.0 million. Analysts had been expecting 54 cents and $90.1 million. Incoming first quarter orders set a company record of $106.9 million. The book to ship ratio came in at 107%. Management also guided FY09 EPS to $2.95-$3.05 ($2.43 consensus) and FY09 revenues to $410-$425 million ($400.04M consensus).

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

• Acuity Brands Inc. (NYSE: AYI) missed estimates due to restructuring after the spin-off of Zep Inc.
• Alcoa Inc. (NYSE: AA) easily beat earnings estimates, due to the impeding sale of some businesses.
• American Express Co. (NYSE: AXP) warned that it would take a charge against fourth quarter earnings.
• Apollo Group (NASDAQ: APOL) posted a solid quarter on student enrollment and retention.
• AZZ Inc. (NYSE: AZZ) beat earnings expectations and offered revised guidance.
• Capital One Financial Corp. (NYSE: COF) lowered its fourth quarter and full year earnings forecast.
• Constellation Brands Inc. (NYSE: STZ) third quarter profit rose on growth in the domestic wine business.
• EI DuPont de Nemours & Co. (NYSE: DD) lifted its outlook on strength in agriculture and nutrition business.
• Family Dollar Stores (NYSE: FDO) earnings were in line with estimates, despite lower same-store sales.
• Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. (NYSE: GAP) posted a strong quarter, helped by the sale of Metro Inc.

AZZ incorporated (NYSE: AZZ) makes electrical products that distribute power to and from generators, transformers, switching devices, and other electrical configurations. It also offers lighting products for the petroleum, food processing, and power generation industries. Its Galvanizing Services segment provides hot-dip galvanizing to the steel fabrication industry. Competitors include General Electric (NYSE: GE) and Eaton Corporation (NYSE: ETN).

The company pleased investors last week, when it reported Q3 EPS of 66 cents and revenues of $86.6 million. Analysts had been expecting 53 cents and $78.0 million. Management also guided FY08 EPS to $2.12-$2.22 ($2.12 consensus) and FY08 revenues to $315-$325 million ($321 million consensus). The stock popped into the initial stage of a bullish "flag" pattern on the news. Equities frequently exit flags moving in the same direction they were traveling on entry. In this case, that would be to the upside.

There is an outfit in Fort Worth that is best known for its operations in the heavy industry electronic products arena. It has an interest sideline, though. Being mindful of the benefits of diversification, the company also operates a nationwide chain of plants that galvanize big industry steel.

AZZ Incorporated (NYSE: AZZ) makes electrical products that distribute power to and from generators, transformers, switching devices and other electrical configurations. It also offers lighting products for the petroleum, food processing, and power generation industries. Its Galvanizing Services segment provides hot dip galvanizing to the steel fabrication industry. Competitors include General Electric (NYSE: GE) and Eaton Corporation (NYSE: ETN).

The company pleased investors last week, when it reported fiscal Q2 EPS of 66 cents and revenues of $81.6 million. Analysts had been expecting 48 cents and $78.5 million. Management also guided FY08 EPS to $1.95-$2.05 ($1.82 consensus) and FY08 revenues to $315-$325 million ($316.31M consensus). The CEO noted that the firm is operating with a record backlog. The stock popped on the news and has since moved into a bullish "pennant" consolidation pattern. Prices frequently exit pennants moving in the same direction they were traveling when they entered them. In this case, that would be to the upside.