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

• American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (AEO) Q3 results were so-so, and it declined to offer a Q4 outlook.
• Benihana Inc. (BNHNA) was downgraded following its weaker-than-expected Q2 results.
• Campbell Soup Co. (CPB) reported better-than-expected Q1 earnings revenue fell short of estimates.
• Deere & Co. (DE) Q4 earnings easily topped low expectations and its cash flow is strong.
• Dollar Tree Inc. (DLTR) strong Q3 numbers topped the Street view and it offered Q4 and full-year guidance.
• Eastman Chemical Co. (EMN) earnings prospects led one analyst to upgrade the stock.

Benihana (NASDAQ: BNHNA) operates a series of restaurants featuring Asian cuisine prepared at the customer's table. The chefs are entertainers and the culinary process is the floor show. The chain consists of 60 teppanyaki restaurants, nine Haru sushi restaurants and 18 RA Sushi Bars. Eight teppanyaki and eight RA Sushi facilities are under development. Eighteen franchised Benihana teppanyaki restaurants are operating in the US, Latin America and the Caribbean.

The company pleased investors last week, when it reported Q408 sales of $69.8 million. That topped the equivalent period in the previous year by $4.1 million. FY08 sales of $295.2 million beat the FY07 total by $24.1 million.

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Kellogg Co (K) and the Auto & Truck Supplier Sector were today's noteworthy downgrades:

• JP Morgan downgraded Kellogg Co (NYSE: K) to Neutral from Outperform, citing reduced earnings growth.

• Baird downgraded the Auto & Truck Supplier Sector to Market Underweight citing valuation and lower estimates; the firm downgraded American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc (NYSE: AXL), Autoliv Inc (NYSE: ALV) and Modine Manufacturing Co (NYSE: MOD) to Underperform from Neutral.

OTHER DOWNGRADES:

• JP Morgan downgraded Juniper Networks Inc (NASDAQ: JNPR) to Market Perform from Outperform with a $22 target, explaining that although Juniper's December quarter showed improved revenue results, earnings guidance was disappointing given investment plans for 2007.

• Sanders Morris downgraded Benihana Inc (NASDAQ: BNHNA) to Buy from Strong Buy with a $38 target, noting that they cannot find enough catalysts that would push shares another 20% in the next six months; however, the firm is still bullish on Benihana's short-term and long-term outlooks.

• Credit Suisse downgraded Office Depot Inc (NYSE: ODP) to Neutral from Outperform, with a $41 target and believes that expectations to be overly optimistic.

Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Benihana Inc. was the sole noteworthy upgrade in today's minuscule list:

• Sanders Morris upgraded Benihana Inc (NASDAQ:BNHNA) to Strong Buy from Buy with a $34 target, citing limited downside and $30% potential upside to their favorite restaurant pick in 2007.

OTHER UPGRADES:

• Citing increasing demand for petroleum activities and valuation, Matrix USA upgraded NewMarket Corp (NYSE:NEU) to Strong Buy from Buy.

• Ferris, Baker Watts upgraded shares of Tollgrade Communications (NASDAQ:TLGD) to Buy from Neutral, with a $12 target, based on their belief that Tollgrade has improved its growth prospects by expanding its geographic reach, evolving its product offerings and adjusting its operating and overhead structure.

Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).