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

• Activision Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI) posted stellar results on the popularity of Guitar Hero and Transformers.
• Airgas Inc. (NYSE: ARG) beat Q4 estimtates with record earnings and raised its guidance.
• Amkor Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: AMKR) beat Q1 expectations on strong demand for wireless.
• Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: APC) reported strong Q1 results that beat Wall Street estimates.
• Barnes Group Inc. (NYSE: B) beat Q1 expectations on its "global reach" and raised its 2008 guidance.
• Coinstar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSTR) beat Q1 expectations and raised its full-year guidance.
• DirecTV Group Inc. (NASDAQ: DTV) posted better-than-expected results and announced share buybacks.
• Double-Take Software (NASDAQ: DBTK) beat Q1 expectations and raised its Q2 and 2008 guidance.
• Goldcorp Inc. (NYSE: GG) profits surged in the first quarter on record high gold prices.
• ICON plc (NASDAQ: ICLR) beat Q1 expectations and raised its full-year guidance.
• Marvel Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: MVL) easily beat Q1 estimates and raised its full-year guidance.
• Molson Coors Brewing Co. (NYSE: TAP) reported a surge in Q1 profits that beat Wall Street estimates.
• Panera Bread Co. (NASDAQ: PNRA) beat Q1 expectations and lifted its Q2 and 2008 forecasts.
• Symantec Corp. (NASDAQ: SYMC) beat Q4 expectations and raised its Q1 outlook.
• Transocean Inc. (NYSE: RIG) Q1 profits more than doubled due to soaring oil prices.
• Unilever (NYSE: UL) posted strong results, with revenues beating estimates for the first time in six years.
• UTStarcom Inc. (NASDAQ: UTSI) released a preliminary guidance well above expectations.
• Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS) posted better-than-expected results on success of its theme parks.

Barnes Group (NYSE: B) is an international aerospace and industrial components manufacturing and distribution company. The firm operates through three divisions. Barnes Aerospace is a highly specialized manufacturer of components and assemblies used in commercial, business and military jets and industrial gas turbines. Barnes Industrial is the largest manufacturer of precision springs in North America and one of the largest makers of nitrogen gas springs in the world. Barnes Distribution is a leading provider of maintenance, repair, operating and production supplies, such as fasteners, electrical components, abrasives, adhesives and tools. Customers include General Electric (NYSE: GE), Honeywell International (NYSE: HON) and United Technologies (NYSE: UTX).

The company surprised the Street last week, when it reported Q1 EPS of 60 cents and revenues of $388.6 million. Analysts had been looking for 53 cents and $381.2 million. The CEO attributed success to the firm's global reach. Management also guided FY08 EPS to $2.30-$2.39 ($2.24 consensus).

Although we usually do not think about them too often, springs are rather important devices. They are in all manner of equipment from consumer electronics to large engines. There is an outfit in Bristol, Connecticut that is one of the largest precision spring manufacturers in the world. It makes thousands of other necessary parts, too.

Barnes Group (NYSE: B) is an international aerospace and industrial components manufacturing and distribution company. The firm operates through three divisions. Barnes Aerospace is a highly specialized manufacturer of components and assemblies used in commercial, business and military jets and industrial gas turbines. Barnes Industrial manufactures springs, manifold systems, retaining rings, and injection-molded plastic components. Barnes Distribution is a leading distributor of maintenance, repair, operating and production supplies, such as fasteners, electrical components, abrasives, adhesives and tools. Customers include Boeing (NYSE: BA), General Electric (NYSE: GE), Honeywell International (NYSE: HON), Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and United Technologies (NYSE: UTX).

The company pleased investors last week, when it reported Q1 EPS of fifty cents and revenues of $360.7 million. Analysts had been expecting forty cents and $340.4 million. Management also guided FY07 EPS to $1.74-1.83 ($1.60 consensus). Banc of America Securities and Robert W. Baird declared the stock a "buy" and boosted their price targets to $33.