Advance Auto Parts (AAP), first discussed here on May 19, 2009, at a price of $43.38 -- a play of the year in 2010 -- may qualify for a similar award in 2011.

Advance Auto's shares have pulled back about 10% this winter to about $63, but view that retreat as an opportunity to scoop up shares, if you missed the $43 entry point, as AAP will likely resume heading north soon.

The earnings season is winding to a close, but there are still some big names left to report, including AutoZone Inc. (AZO), which will report its fiscal second quarter results before the market opens on Tuesday.

Going into tomorrow's earnings report, analysts are expecting to see Autozone announce earnings of $3.06 per share. During the same period last year the company had earnings of $2.46.

Advance Auto Parts (AAP), first discussed here on May 19, 2009, at a price of $43.38, like a couple other auto parts stocks, may qualify for the 2010 play-of-the-year.

Advance Auto's stock has risen in staircase fashion from about $41 in April to about $67 today, and there's more upside ahead.

During uncertain economic conditions, it's best to consider investing in a demonstrated business model or two, and auto parts chain Advance Auto Parts (AAP), first discussed here on May 19, 2009 at a price of $43.38, is one.

Advance Auto's 2010 sales will likely increase 5-7% in 2010, followed by a 4-6% gain in 2011, boosted by the opening of about 150 new stores. Same store sales should increase 4-6% in 2010.

Also, margins should increase, aided by efficiency improvements, and market-appropriate prices.

If you're looking for a stock that you can ride higher even if the market can't sustain a bullish rally, you might want to take a look at AutoZone, Inc. (AZO).

AutoZone has been on a tear since November 2009 -- rising at a 45-degree angle on its chart from $135 to $200. Whenever the overall market has pulled back, AutoZone has withstood the bearish pressure and moved higher.

It goes without saying that auto parts chains are favored in this neck of the woods. And Advance Auto Parts (AAP), first discussed here on May 19, 2009 at a price of $43.38, fits the bill.

Look for AAP's 2010 sales to increase 5-7% in 2010, followed by a 4-6% gain in 2011, aided by the opening of about 150 new stores. Same store sales should increase 2-3% in 2010.

Meanwhile, margins should increase, aided by efficiency improvements, and better price determinations.

Advance Auto Parts (AAP), which I first wrote about on May 19, 2009, at a price of $43.38, is a company I still like, for several reasons.

Look for AAP's revenue to increase a healthy 6% to 8% in FY2010, driven by both same store sales gains and the opening of about 100 new stores.

As so often happens at this point in the earnings season, focus begins to shift to the results from retailers. And the world's largest retailer is among those that step into the spot light this week.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters are looking for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT), which was aggressively competitive during the holiday shopping season and also recently announced a new global strategy, to report fourth-quarter earnings of $1.12 per share, up from $1.03 per share in the year-ago period. Revenue for the three months that ended in January is expected to have risen 4.9% to $114.5 billion. The full-year forecast calls for earnings of $3.61 per share (+5.3%) on $409.1 billion in revenue (+0.9%). Walmart has not missed earnings estimates in the past five quarters.

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

• Advance Auto Parts Inc. (AAP) was downgraded due to concerns about its 2010 earnings outlook.
• Analogic Corp. (ALOG) received an analyst's downgrade after it reported weaker-than-expected earnings.
• AutoZone Inc. (AZO) strong Q1 results beat earnings expectations, but shares rose only a little.
• BWAY Holding Co. (BWY) received an analyst's upgrade following release of its Q4 results.
• Casey's General Stores Inc. (CASY) topped Q2 earnings estimates but lower revenue fell short.
• Ciena Corp. (CIEN) shares plummeted after it fell short of its earnings expectations for Q4.

AutoZone Inc. (AZO), the nation's largest aftermarket auto parts chain, is scheduled to discuss its financial results for the fiscal first quarter in a conference call Tuesday, December 8, at 10:00 AM (ET). You can catch the live webcast of the call on the company's website.

The three months that ended in November saw the Cash for Clunkers program, and the Memphis-based company became the parts supplier for the state of Arkansas. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect Autozone to report that its earnings rose 16.2% from a year ago to $2.66 per share. Revenue for the quarter is expected to total $1.6 billion, 7.4% higher than a year ago.

Advance Auto Part's (AAP) stock has retreated about $7 since mid-summer, but I'm nevertheless reiterating my buy rating for the company, first recommended on May 19, 2009 at a price of $43.38. Here's why.

Advance Auto's stock appears to be the victim of some tad-early, year-end, profit-taking by short-term institutional investors (IIs). AAP posted Q3 EPS of 65 cents -- very close to the First Call Q3 EPS estimate of 66 cents; AAP also reported a 4.7% increase in same store sales in Q3. The two data points helped AAP recover slightly from its $47 to $37 swoon, with shares now trading at/near $39.50, supporting the analysis that the preceding plunge has the look of selected institutions 'getting out, early' ahead of the December crush.

The conventional wisdom is that consumer spending is what drives the U.S. economy. And consumer spending arises out of consumer confidence. Unfortunately, the signals along the road to economic recovery are mixed, what with the rising GDP growth and the dismal unemployment numbers. Its enough to leave investors scratching their heads. What barometers of consumer confidence will the coming week bring?

The TIPP Economic Optimism Index for November is scheduled for Tuesday, and the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index for November is due out Friday.

Advance Auto Parts (NYSE: AAP) has pulled-back about $4 since first recommended on May 19, 2009 at a price of $43.38, but view that as a Buy opportunity.

That's because an argument can be made that auto repair represents one of the best sectors over the next one-two years. Here's why:

Last week offered mixed messages about whether an economic recovery is indeed underway. The unemployment figures were not as bad as feared, but July sales numbers were nothing to write home about, despite the wild popularity of the so-called cash-for-clunkers program.

The question is, where has consumer confidence (and consumer spending) been? Retail is a good place to look, and as it turns out, this week several shopping mall and strip mall favorites will be reporting earnings for the most recent quarter.

Analyst upgrades:

• Janney Montgomery upgraded Aqua America (NYSE: WTR) to Buy from Neutral on valuation, viewing the recent weakness as a buying opportunity. The firm has a $19 target on the stock.
• UBS upgraded Gildan Activewear (NYSE: GIL) to Buy from Neutral due to customer Broder's improved liquidity and the improved outlook for margins.
• RBC Capital upgraded State Street (NYSE: STT) to Top Pick from Outperform and raised its target to $55 from $40. The analyst said the $2B capital raise addresses TCE ratio concerns and large unrealized losses in the investment portfolio.
• Sherwin-Williams (NYSE: SHW) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan.
• Advance Auto Parts (NYSE: AAP) was upgraded to Buy from Underperform at Banc of America/Merrill.
• M&T Bank (NYSE: MTB) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Bernstein.