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

• Ann Taylor Stores Corp. (ANN) declining same-store sales offset better-than-expected Q3 earnings.
• Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ) reached a new 52-week high after Q3 results handily exceeded expectations.
• Dillard's Inc. (DDS) said that it swung to a Q3 profit due to cost cutting as revenue declined year over year.
• GameStop Corp. (GME) reported uninspiring Q3 numbers that included a slump in same-store sales.
• Home Depot Inc. (HD) lower Q3 earnings and revenue beat analysts' estimates, but shares still declined.

Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ) tagged a new 52-week peak Tuesday morning in the wake of its latest earnings report. The solar company announced that it raked in a third-quarter profit of $25.3 million, or 69 cents per share, while revenue dipped 16% to $213.1 million. The results handily exceeded analysts' consensus expectations for a profit of 54 cents per share on $210.9 million in revenue.

Shipments for the recently concluded quarter more than doubled on a sequential basis, arriving at 102.6 megawatts (MW). For 2010, Canadian Solar said it expects shipments to range between 600 MW and 700 MW, compared to the current 2009 forecast for shipments of 295 MW to 305 MW.

Analyst upgrades:

• Jefferies upgraded Warner Chilcott (NASDAQ: WCRX) to Buy from Hold. The firm views Warner Chilcott's acquisition of P&G's (NYSE: PG) pharma business as a positive given its attractive product fit and purchase price.
• ThinkEquity upgraded Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) to Buy from Source of Funds and raised its target to $550 from $400. Previously, the firm thought Google Street estimates were too high and that low single-digit growth in Q2 and Q3 would cause multiple contraction. They said their thesis played out fundamentally but they were wrong on the stock. Given Q2 has past, the analyst raised estimates above consensus and expects an in-line Q3 and for shares to outperform as the economic cycle turns.
• Bernstein upgraded Diageo (NYSE: DEO) to Outperform from Market Perform and views Diageo's valuation as attractive. The firm expects 2H09 results on August 27 to mark a bottom in weakening top-line trends.
• Costco (NASDAQ: COST) was upgraded to Market Perform from Underperform at William Blair.
• Lowe's (NYSE: LOW) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley.
• Siemens (NYSE: SI) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at BofA/Merrill.

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

• American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (NYSE: AEO) reported better-than-expected Q1 earnings, lifting shares.
• AutoZone Inc. (NYSE: AZO) posted a better-than-expected Q3 profit said it will continue to buy back shares.
• Bank of Montreal (NYSE: BMO) reported lower Q2 earnings and also announced 1,100 layoffs.
• Big Lots Inc. (NYSE: BIG) higher Q1 earnings topped estimates even though same-store sales fell.
• BioMed Realty Trust Inc. (NYSE: BMR) earnings prospects after the recent capital raise led to a downgrade.

It was good news, bad news Tuesday for maple leaf stocks Bank of Montreal (NYSE: BMO) and Canadian Solar Inc. (NYSE: CSIQ). While both reported better than expected quarterly results, Bank of Montreal reported lower second-quarter earnings and said it would lay off 1,100 employees, and Canadian Solar posted a first-quarter loss due to plunging revenues.

Bank of Montreal, Canada's fourth-largest bank, reported its profit declined to C$358 million (US$317 million), or 61 Canadian cents per share, in the quarter that ended April 30. Results included one-time charges of C$80 million for losses in BMO's backup financing operations and C$80 million in severance costs for job cuts. Adjusted earnings came to 93 Canadian cents per share, just above analysts' expectations.

All in all, this was actually a light day on the news flow for major stocks. Today's dismal Case-Shiller data for a record drop in housing prices was trumped completely by a surge in consumer confidence this morning. The notion that North Korea did a nuclear bomb test was only important for discussions during the very early morning, but slowly faded thereafter.

Here are today's unofficial closing bell levels:

Dow 8,473.49 +196.17 (2.37%)
S&P 500 910.31 +23.31 (2.63%)
Nasdaq 1,750.43 +58.42 (3.45%)

Top 10 Analyst Calls

Analyst upgrades:

• UBS upgraded Target (NYSE: TGT) to Buy from Neutral and raised its price target to $52 from $45 citing reduced inventories, some credit stability, and an improved back-to-school period.
• Credit Suisse said concerns regarding Safeway's (NYSE: SWY) price position are overblown and that earnings risk is limited. The firm upgraded shares to Outperform from Neutral and raised the target price to $25 from $22.
• Oppenheimer upgraded Canadian Solar (NASDAQ: CSIQ) to Outperform from Perform as it believes the story is underappreciated following the recent sector rally. The firm has a $14 price target on the stock.
• CME Group (NASDAQ: CME) was upgraded to buy from Neutral at Goldman.
• Freeport McMoRan (NYSE: FCX) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan.
• Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at FTN Equity.

Analyst upgrades:

• JP Morgan upgraded Astoria Financial (NYSE: AF) to Neutral from Underweight on valuation as it finds the stock fairly valued at current levels.
• Seagate Technology (NASDAQ: STX) was upgraded to Neutral from Sell at American Technology.

Analyst downgrades:

• Soleil downgraded Sunoco (NYSE: SUN) to Hold from Buy on valuation following the recent rally and is concerned about rising distillate inventories on the East Coast.
• Deutsche Bank downgraded MedCath (NASDAQ: MDTH) to Hold from Buy and lowered its target to $12.50 from $14 as it believes FY09 consensus estimates remain too high.
• Piper Jaffray downgraded ReneSola (NYSE: SOL) to Neutral from Buy and Canadian Solar (NASDAQ: CSIQ) to Sell from Neutral.
• LHC Group (NASDAQ: LHCG) was cut to Hold from Buy at Deutsche Bank.

Last week, JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd. (NASDAQ: JASO) posted a quarterly loss and lowered its guidance. But as interest in alternative energy continues to grow, analysts polled by Thomson Financial are still looking for good things from solar energy concerns scheduled to report earnings this week.

Strong growth at Trina Solar Ltd. (NYSE: TSL) in the third quarter prompted it to lift its guidance back in October. Analysts expect the Chinese company to post profits that are 76.3% higher than a year ago, or $1.18 per share on revenues of $268.4 million (+225.0%). Though Trina Solar missed estimates in the second quarter, analysts on average recommend buying TSL. Shares are down 81.4% from a year ago and trading near an all-time low.

Earnings of rival LDK Solar Co. Ltd. (NYSE: LDK) are expect to have risen 47.9% to $0.71 per share on revenues of $486.7 million (+206.6%). Also based in China, LDK has not missed estimates in recent quarters; in fact, it blew past expectations in the second quarter. Yet the consensus recommendation is to hold LDK. Like Trina Solar, LDK's shares are trading near an all-time low; the share price has fallen 50.0% in the past year.

Analysts anticipate third-quarter earnings for Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ) to be a whopping 96.3% higher than a year ago, or $0.54 per share on revenues of $248.0 million (+154.5%). The company easily topped estimates in the previous quarter. ReneSola Ltd. (NYSE: SOL) and Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. (NYSE: STP) are also expected to report earnings growth of 29.7% ($0.37 per share) and 23.8% ($0.42 per share), respectively. All three of these stocks reached 52-week lows last week, and all are considered buys.

Analyst upgrades:

• Merriman upgraded Smith & Wesson (NASDAQ:SWHC) to Buy from Neutral on valuation after channel checks indicated an increase in gun sales in October after an Obama win became apparent. The firm believes shares can trade up into the $4 to $5 range.
  
• Credit Suisse upgraded Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) to Outperform from Neutral citing the company's improved balance and potential earnings power following its $11B equity offering.
  
• JP Morgan upgraded Coca-Cola Enerprises (NYSE:CCE) to Overweight from Neutral on valuation and easing commodity and labor costs.
• Manulife (NYSE:MFC) was raised to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital.
  
• SL Green Realty (NYSE:SLG) was upgraded at UBS to Buy from Neutral.
  
• Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH) was upgraded to Equal Weight from Underweight at Barclays.

Analyst downgrades:

• Barclays downgraded General Motors (NYSE:GM) to Underweight from Equal Weight on cash concerns and believes any assistance from the government would substantially dilute equity holders. Barclays set a $1 target on GM shares.
  
• Stephens cut LandAmerica (NYSE:LFG) to Underweight from Equal Weight following the Fidelity National (NYSE:FNF) takeover as they expect no other bidders to emerge and believe shares could go back to under $5 if Fidelity National walks away.
  
• Deutsche Bank downgraded solar companies to reflect deteriorating fundamentals in the sector, an adequate supply of c-Si modules, the strengthening dollar and restricted access to capital. First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR), Canadian Solar (NASDAQ:CSIQ), Energy Conversion (NASDAQ:ENER) and Sunpower (NASDAQ:SPWRA) were downgraded to Hold from Buy.
• Urban Outfitters (NASDAQ:URBN) and Aeropostale (NYSE:ARO) were downgraded to Underweight from Equal Weight at Barclays.
  
• FMC Technologies (NYSE:FTI) was lowered to Underweight from Neutral at JP Morgan.

Analyst initiations:

• Freeport McMoRan, HLS Systems, and Kimberly Clark were today's noteworthy initiations:
  
• Banc of America expects Freeport McMoRan's (NYSE:FCX) earnings will decline sharply in 2009 and thinks the dividend could be at risk. Shares were initiated with a Neutral rating and $29 target.
  
• Roth Capital initiated HLS Systems (NASDAQ:HOLI) with a Buy rating and $5 target. The firm is positive on the company's management team and the company's outlook for EPS growth.
  
• Citigroup thinks Kimberly Clark's (NYSE:KMB) margins have bottomed and that the current valuation is too low. Shares were assumed with a Buy rating and $65 target.
• Synaptics (NASDAQ:SYNA) and Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE) were initiated at Merrill Lynch with Neutral ratings.
  
• Tim Hortons (NYSE:THI) was assumed with a Sell rating at Goldman.

U.S. stock futures were higher Monday morning, indicating stocks could rise at the open after China Sunday announced a $585 billion stimulus package, which includes tax cuts and infrastructure spending. This cause world markets to climb as well as commodities. Oil followed stock markets and jumped above $64 a barrel. Another boost to stocks was further aid from the government to AIG.

[Update 8:25: Circuit City Stores Inc. (NYSE: CC) filed for bankruptcy. Shares are down 52% in premarket trading to 12 cents.]

American International Group (NYSE: AIG) -- The government on Monday provided new financial assistance to the troubled insurance giant, including pouring $40 billion into the company in return for partial ownership. Altogether, AIG got around $150 billion. AIG shares are shooting up over 21% in premarket trading.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) and Chrysler are also moving closer to a bailout as Obama's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, called the industry an "essential" part of the U.S. economy. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said that the administration should consider expanding the $700 billion financial industry bailout to include car companies. With this kind of support, still undecided is the size and timing of any aid. GM shares are up 2.3% (it was hit by a downgrade from Barclays) and Ford shares are up nearly 5% in premarket trade. [Update 9:10: as expected, with the GM downgrade, it is down over 10% in premarket trading, Ford is only slightly down thought]

NRG Energy Inc. (NYSE: NRG) on Sunday rejected an unsolicited $6.1 billion all-stock bid from nuclear power giant and utility operator Exelon Corp. (NYSE: EXC), calling it too low. NRG shares jumped 6.8% in premarket trading.

President-elect Barack Obama has often repeated his stance on alternative energy. He plans to spend $150 billion over 10 years on alternative energy, not only as part of his energy independence plan, but also in order to help clean the environment, and perhaps most important of all, to create 5 million new jobs.

With Obama winning in the polls, it is no wonder that on Tuesday solar stock prices soared: SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ: SPWRA) finished the day up 14.6%, Suntech Power (NYSE: STP) also closed 13.5% higher, Evergreen Solar (NASDAQ: ESLR) closed 12.8% higher, Canadian Solar (NASDAQ: CSIQ) was up 14.7% while Trina Solar (NYSE: TSL) gained 9.1%, First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR) 9.6% and LDK Solar (NYSE: LDK) 4.8%. In fact, over the past week, these solar stocks added about 50% to their value: ESLR +104%, FSLR +55%, STP +53%, SPWRA +51%, LDK +48%, CSIQ +45% and TSL +41%. [Solar stocks are down this morning, seems to me a "sell on the news" decline.]

With these kind of gains recently you might think you're too late, but solar stocks have actually been beaten mercilessly in the past year. While the S&P 500 declined some 31% year-to-date and the Nasdaq declined 33%, solar stocks plunged even worse: STP -75%, TSL -73%, ESLR -69%, SPWRA -61%, CSIQ -56%, LDK -50% and FSLR -34%.

Congress passed a bill that approved about $18 billion of renewable-energy tax credits after repeated failed attempts to do so this year, and now there will be an administration that -- if it sticks to its claims -- will be more supportive of alternative energy. The only question investors should ask, so which do I pick?

U.S. stock futures were somewhat higher Monday morning as investors put October -- one of the worst months ever -- behind them and braced for the impact of the presidential election. A slew of economic data will be released this week, including September construction spending and the October release of the ISM index due today after the market opens. Global stocks were generally higher even as oil slipped again.

PepsiCo Inc. (NYSE: PEP) said Monday it will invest $1 billion in China over the next four years. The beverage company wants to expand local manufacturing capability, research and development and sales force.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) -- the company has been in the process of trying to find a way to merge with Chrysler. While we didn't hear much about the merger so far from the United Auto Workers union, it seems
it intends to play a key part in it and has has retained an adviser to help with workers' concerns should the merger occur, the WSJ reported.

Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) saw its 27,000 machinists resuming work Sunday after a 57-day strike that shut down production. Because of logistics, it will take several weeks before Boeing is running normally. The company missed at least 70 deliveries as a result of the strike. Seems it may miss more until production is properly under way. Boeing was downgraded to Conviction Sell from Neutral by Goldman Sachs, saying investors should sell into the strength from the resolution of the machinists union strike.

Canadian Solar (NASDAQ: CSIQ) develops, manufactures and markets solar module products for the conversion of sunlight into electrical energy. Offerings include solar panels for residential and industrial use, plus customized modules that customers incorporate into their own products. The modules power such special-purpose devices as bus stop lighting systems and vehicle battery chargers. Canadian Solar is incorporated in Ontario, but conducts all of its manufacturing operations through six subsidiaries in China. The firm is actively involved in government projects to bring solar power to rural Chinese communities. Clients are distributors, systems integrators and manufacturers in North America, Asia and Europe.

The company pleased investors last week, when it raised its 2008 output guidance from 200-220 MW to 230-260 MW and boosted its estimated annual revenue from $650-$750 million to $750-$870 million ($836.06M consensus). Management pointed to continued robust market demand for its products.

Canadian Solar (NASDAQ: CSIQ) is recently up $5.97 to $48.49 after increasing its 2008 annual revenue and output guidance to reflect the sales of e-Module products.

CSIQ call option volume of 15,574 contracts compares to put volume of 5,013 contracts. CSIQ July call option implied volatility is at 86; puts are at 97; near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price risk. CSIQ puts are more expensive than calls because CSIQ is difficult to borrow.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com