In last week's preview we took a peek at expectations for Campbell Soup earnings, but now the company is scheduled to report fiscal fourth quarter results this coming Thursday. With Krispy Kreme also among the handful of companies scheduled to report this week, we may yet see whether consumers are turning to comfort foods in these uncertain times.

Campbell Soup Co. (NYSE: CPB), the world's biggest soup maker, is still expected by analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial to post net income of 25 cents per share (up 44.0% from a year ago) on revenue of $1.7 billion (up 7.4%). The Camden, N.J.-based company has just missed earnings estimates in the past few quarters. Its long-term EPS growth forecast is 7.9%, which is less than the industry average, but about the same as rivals Kraft Foods (NYSE: KFT) and HJ Heinz (NYSE: HNZ). The analysts' consensus recommendation is currently to buy Campbell.

Hip, Canadian apparel retailer Lululemon Athletica Inc. (NASDAQ: LULU) is also anticipated to be a big earnings gainer when it reports this week. Net income is expected to come in at 13 cents per share (up 46.2% from a year ago) on revenue of $88.2 million (up 50.3%). Lululemon met expectations when it reported 12 cents per share in the previous quarter. Its long-term EPS growth forecast is a healthy 40.2%, which is better than the industry average and that of rival Under Armour Inc. (NYSE: UA). The analysts' consensus recommendation is currently to buy Lululemon.

Methode Electronics (NYSE: MEI) designs, manufactures and markets devices employing electrical, electronic, wireless, sensing and optical technologies. Its various components and subsystems are used by manufacturers of automobiles, computers, voice/data systems, aircraft, industrial equipment and medical devices. The firm also provides electrical, environmental and industrial testing services. Methode works through facilities in North America, Europe and Asia.

The company surprised Wall Street last week, when it reported fiscal Q2 EPS of 24 cents and revenues of $133.2 million. Analysts had been looking for 19 cents and $123.9 million. The CEO cited momentum gains in European and Asian sales for the favorable figures. Management also guided FY08 EPS to 80-87 cents (82 cent consensus) and FY08 revenues to $500-$515 million ($499.58M consensus). The MEI price popped through moving average resistance on the news and has since been defining a bullish "pennant" consolidation pattern. Stocks frequently exit pennants moving in the same direction they were traveling on entry. In this case, that would be to the upside.

Brokers recommend the issue with one "strong buy" and three "holds". Analysts see a 22 percent average annual growth rate, through the next five years. The stock's P/E ratio (16.41), PEG ratio (0.75), Price to Sales ratio (1.15), Price to Book ratio (1.63), Price to Cash Flow ratio (9.70), Price to Free Cash Flow ratio (11.02), Sales Growth rate (22.76%) and EPS Growth rate (84.62%) compare favorably with industry, sector and S&P 500 averages. Institutional investors hold about 95 percent of the outstanding shares. The stock is one of those used to calculate the S&P 600 SmallCap Index. Over the past 52 weeks, it has traded between $10.27 and $18.90. A stop-loss of $13.25 looks good here.

Larry Schutts is a contributing editor for Theflyonthewall.com and the Vice-President of Stockwinners.com.

Much of the wizardry behind the amazing array of available consumer electronic devices is a function of the high-tech thinking and precision manufacturing procedures used to create the smallest components. A leader in the art of fabricating those components is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Methode Electronics (NASDAQ: METH) designs, manufactures and markets devices employing electrical, electronic, wireless, sensing and optical technologies. Its various components and subsystems are used by manufacturers of automobiles, computers, voice/data systems, aircraft, industrial equipment and medical devices. The firm also provides electrical, environmental and industrial testing services. Methode works through facilities in North America, Europe and Asia.

The company surprised the Street last week when it reported fiscal Q3 EPS of 18 cents and revenues of $105.4 million. Analysts had been looking for 9 cents and $100.9 million. Management also guided FY07 EPS to 52-61 cents (47 cent consensus) and FY07 revenues to $430-$440 million ($424.86M consensus). The CEO cited solid business growth in power distribution, fiber-optic, and Europe/Asia automotive products for the favorable figures. He also noted that both of Methode's Chinese businesses are now turning profits. The METH price popped through moving average resistance on the news and has since been defining a bullish "pennant" consolidation pattern. Stocks frequently exit pennants moving in the same direction they were traveling when they entered them. In this case, that would be to the upside.

Brokers recommend the issue with one "strong buy" and two "holds." Analysts see a thirty percent growth rate through the next year. The stock's Price to Sales ratio (1.10), Price to Book ratio (1.53), Price to Cash Flow ratio (11.87), Price to Free Cash Flow ratio (29.89) and EPS Growth rate (125.00%) compare favorably with industry, sector and S&P 500 averages.

Institutional investors hold about 91% of the outstanding shares. The stock is one of those used to calculate the S&P 600 SmallCap Index. Over the past 52 weeks, it has traded between $7.07 and $13.43. A stop-loss of $10.90 looks good here.

Larry Schutts is a contributing editor for Theflyonthewall.com and the Vice-President of Stockwinners.com.