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

• Bob Evans Farms Inc. (NASDAQ: BOBE) posted stronger-than-expected Q4 earnings.
• Ciena Corp. (NASDAQ: CIEN) beat earnings expectations, but share prices slipped anyway.
• Daktronics Inc. (NASDAQ: DAKT) Q4 results beat expectations and it raised its revenue outlook.
• Diageo (NYSE: DEO) is recession-proof and should deliver solid results, predicts one adviser.
• Donaldson Company Inc. (NYSE: DCI) beat Q3 expectations and raised its full-year guidance.
• Ensco International Inc. (NYSE: ESV) was upgraded because of its earnings growth potential.
• Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (NYSE: LEH) earnings prospects don't impress Jim Cramer.
• Netezza Corp. (NYSE: NZ) beat Q1 expectations and offered full-year revenue guidance.
• Potash Corp. (NYSE: POT) earnings are "set to soar" says one analyst, due to rising demand and prices.
• Sherwin-Williams Co. (NYSE: SHW) lowered its Q2 and full-year forecasts, sending shares down.
• Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO) beat Q2 estimates on Grand Theft Auto IV demand.
• Trina Solar Ltd. (NYSE: TSL) beat Q1 estimates but shares fell on the disappointing Q2 outlook.
• Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) was upgraded due to its earnings outlook and increased productivity.

See also: Earnings highlights: Toll Bros., National Semiconductor, Dr Pepper, Guess and others

Also, continued real estate losses are expected to hurt the quarterly reports of banks such as like Wachovia (NYSE: WB), Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC), and National City (NYSE: NCC). And Steven Mallas wonders why Playboy (NYSE: PLA) shares have tanked since its last earnings report.

Upcoming results to watch for include Krispy Kreme (NYSE: KKD), Pall Corp. (NYSE: PLL), Pep Boys (NYSE: PBY), Korn Ferry (NYSE: KFY), and Casey's General Stores (NASDAQ: CASY).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

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

• Big Lots Inc. (NYSE: BIG) reported a record quarter due in part to improved distribution.
• Blyth Inc. (NYSE: BTH) trounced EPS estimates and raised its guidance.
• ConAgra Foods Inc. (NYSE: CAG) raised its earnings forecast for Q2 on strength in merchandising.
• Donaldson Co. (NYSE: DCI) beat estimates due to strength in international markets.
• J. Crew Group (NYSE: JCG) posted a solid quarter due to strength in both store and direct sales.
• Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. (NYSE: KKD) narrowed its loss, but foresees further store closures.
• Liquidity Services Inc. (NASDAQ: LQDT) posted a strong quarter, benefiting from the sluggish economy.
• Merck & Co. Inc.'s (NYSE: MRK) earnings forecasts for 2007 and 2008 fall short of expectations.
• Netezza Corp. (NYSE: NZ) beat expectations of both earnings and revenue.
• Palm Inc. (NASDAQ: PALM) forecast a loss for the current quarter due to product delays.
• Royal Bank of Scotland's (NYSE: RBS) better-than-expected forecast buoyed European banks.
• SeaChange International (NASDAQ: SEAC) reported a profit when analysts expected a loss.
• Sigma Designs (NASDAQ: SIGM) had a "blowout" quarter, beating even the most optimistic analyst.
• SkillSoft (NASDAQ: SKIL) beat expectations of both earnings and revenue.
• Toll Brothers Inc. (NYSE: TOL) posted a lower-than-expected loss, its first quarterly loss in 21 years.

Also, Brian White looks at how loss of market share contributed to Dell Inc.'s (NASDAQ: DELL) recent results. Both Douglas McIntyre and Jim Cramer mull the effect on the cable industries of Comcast Corp.'s (NASDAQ: CMCSA) lowered guidance. And Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT) is among retailers warning about earnings in the current quarter.

Upcoming results to watch for include: H&R Block (NYSE: HRB), Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), Costco (NASDAQ: COST), and Lehman Bros. (NYSE: LEH).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

Sometimes the lesser-known / least glamorous companies make for the most intriguing defensive plays. A defensive play that doesn't receive a great deal of media attention is Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI).

Donaldson manufactures filtration systems designed to eliminate contaminants from air liquids, with the bulk of the company's applications addressing intake/exhaust systems and liquid-filtration systems. About 56% of DCI's business is engine product-based, 44% industrial products-based.

That's hardly a glamorous, famed-filled business but Donaldson doesn't mind: it's operations span the U.S., Europe, Asia and other regions, with 30 strategically-located facilities. Donaldson's shares gained 18 cents to end at $41.89 in Tuesday afternoon trading.