Wall Street's optimism in last week's preview about the earnings of tech stocks wasn't misplaced, as there were many more positive surprises than negative ones among the stocks we looked at. This week will bring plenty more data for investors in and watchers of the sector to mull over. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T), and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT), for example, are expected by analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial to post modest earnings gains from a year ago, to $1.11 per share (on $8.1 billion in sales), $0.72 per share (on $31.3 billion in sales), and $0.47 per share (on $14.8 billion in sales) respectively. All three of these companies ended the week closer to their 52-week lows than highs, and analysts on average consider them each a buy.

Here's a look at some of the week's biggest expected earnings gainers and decliners in the sector:

• Baidu.com Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU): $1.25 per share (+44.0%) on revenues of $134.7 million (+103.2%)
• Broadcom Corp. (NASDAQ: BRCM): $0.44 per share (+38.6%) on revenues of $1.3 billion (+33.8%)
• QLogic Corp. (NASDAQ: QLGC): $0.31 per share (+29.0%) on revenues of $170.0 million (+21.2%)
• FLIR Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR): $0.32 per share (+28.1%) on revenues of $275.2 million (+44.0%)
• Juniper Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: JNPR): $0.30 per share (+26.7%) on revenues of $927.4 million (+26.2%)
• Waters Corp. (NYSE: WAT): $0.75 per share (+17.3%) on revenues of $391.6 million (+11.1%)
• Flextronics International Ltd. (NASDAQ: FLEX): $0.29 per share (+17.2%) on revenues of $8.7 billion (+57.3%)
• EMC Corp. (NYSE: EMC): $0.19 per share (+10.5%) on revenues of $3.7 billion (+12.9%)

Netgear Inc. (NASDAQ: NTGR) designs networking products that address the specific needs of small business and home users. The company's hubs, routers, switches, servers and interfaces enable customers to share internet access, peripherals, files, digital multimedia content and applications among multiple personal computers and other internet-enabled devices. The firm sells through distributors to such retailers as Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) and Circuit City (NYSE: CC). It also runs an online store. Netgear uses third-party manufacturing contractors in China and Taiwan to produce its equipment.

The company surprised the Street last week, when it reported Q3 EPS of 40 cents and revenues of $191.7 million. Analysts had been expecting 38 cents and $181 million. The CEO attributed success to the fast ramp of the firm's new ReadyNAS product line. Management also guided Q4 revenues to $195-$200, versus consensus of $190.41 million. The share price popped on the news and then moved into 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 shares with two "strong buys," five "buys" and six "holds." Analysts see a 16% average annual growth rate, through the next five years. The NTGR Price to Sales ratio (1.77), Price to Book ratio (3.46), Sales Growth rate (26.46%), EPS Growth rate (21.21%) and Revenue per Employee ($1.78 million) compare favorably with industry, sector and S&P 500 averages. Institutions hold about 95% 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 $24.85 and $41.33. A stop-loss of $30.25 looks good here.

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

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Suntech Power, First Solar, Banco Santander, Internap and NetGear were today's noteworthy initiations:

• Merriman initiated shares of Suntech Power (NYSE: STP) with a Buy rating and believes the company is benefiting from strong worldwide demand for solar PV technology. The firm suggests a potential 12-month stock price range of $56-$64.
  
• Merriman also started shares of First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR) with a Sell rating, as they believe the company's market is limited to ground-based systems because of its cadmium-based technology, which they feel could lead to environment concerns over time.
  
• Deutsche Bank resumed coverage of Banco Santander (NYSE: STD) with a Buy rating. The firm is positive on the bank's agreement with ABN Amro (NYSE: ABN) and feels the company has a lack of exposure to risky assets.
  
• Jefferies believes Internap (NASDAQ: INAP) is well-positioned with its suite of services to address a rapidly growing market, starting shares off with a Buy rating and $20 target.
  
• Nollenberger believes NetGear (NASDAQ: NTGR) provides a pure-play opportunity to capitalize on the global penetration of broadband connectivity. The firm resumed coverage with a Buy rating and $36 target.

OTHER INITIATIONS:

• ThinkEquity initiated Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) with a Buy rating and $800 target and Yahoo! (NASDAQ: YHOO) with an Accumulate rating.
  
• Banc of America initiated U.S. land drillers, including Grey Wolf (AMEX: GW), Nabors Industries (NYSE: NBR) and Patterson-UTI Energy (NASDAQ: PTEN) with Neutral ratings and Parker Drilling (NYSE: PKD) with a Buy rating.

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Ballard Power Systems Inc (BLDP), GSI Technology, Inc (GSIT), eTelecare Global Solutions (ETEL) and JA Solar Holdings Co, Ltd (JASO) were the most noteworthy initiations in today's modest-sized list:

• Lazard started Ballard Power (NASDAQ: BLDP) with a Hold rating based on valuation.

• GSI Technology (NASDAQ: GIST) is gaining shares at key customers while ramp-up of its next-generation product should act as a strong catalyst to revenue starting in 2H07; Baird started shares with an Outperform rating.

• Baird also initiated eTelecare Global (NASDAQ: ETEL) with an Outperform rating citing consistent above-industry growth rates.

• American Technology initiated JA Solar Holdings Co (NASDAQ: JASO) with a Buy rating, pointing to the company's long-term customer agreements and solid silicon position...

OTHER INITIATIONS:

• MetroPCS Communications, Inc (NYSE: PCS) was started with an Overweight rating at Lehman.

• Cowen initiated shares of NetGear, Inc (NASDAQ: NTGR) with a Neutral rating.

• Lazard initiated Itron, Inc (NASDAQ: ITRI) with a Buy rating.

• Pacific Crest started shares of AsiaInfo Holdings, Inc (NASDAQ: ASIA) with a Sector Perform rating.

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

Let's say you run a small business and don't want to hire expensive help to network a few computer systems. No problem. There is a company in Santa Clara, California that has what you need to do it yourself.

Netgear Inc. (NASDAQ: NTGR) is engaged in the design, development, and marketing of networking products for home users and small businesses. Its devices enable users to share Internet access, peripherals, files, digital multimedia content and applications among multiple personal computer systems. Products include hubs, routers, switches, servers and interfaces. The firm sells through distributors [e.g: Ingram Micro (NYSE: IM) and Tech Data (NASDAQ: TECD)], to retailers [e.g: Circuit City (NYSE: CC) and Best Buy (NYSE: BBY)], and through its online store.

The company pleased investors last week when it announced Q1 EPS of 44 cents and revenues of $173.6 million. Analysts had been looking for 34 cents and $163.4 million. Management also guided Q2 revenues to $165-$170 million, versus consensus of $163.29 million. The CEO remarked that first quarter revenue came in above guidance, due to continued momentum across all channels. He particularly cited new product launches that enabled the firm to penetrate the Japanese and Korean cable operator markets. NTGR shares popped on the news and then moved into 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 shares with two "strong buys", four "buys" and seven "holds". Analysts see a 15% average annual growth rate, through the next five years. The NTGR Price to Sales ratio (2.09), Price to Book ratio (4.01), Revenue Growth rate (36.42%), EPS Growth rate (51.72%), Return on Investment (15.51%) and Revenue per Employee ($1.47M) compare favorably with industry, sector and S&P 500 averages.

Institutions hold about 95% 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 $16.92 and $36.00. A stop-loss of $30.50 looks good here.

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

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Comcast Corp (CMCSA), Monster Worldwide (MNST), Microsoft (MSFT), XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc (XMSR) and Sirius Satellite Radio (SIRI) were today's most noteworthy upgrades:

• Comcast Corp (NASDAQ: CMCSA) was upgraded at AG Edwards to Buy from Hold with a $33 objective, citing valuation.

• Gabelli raised Monster Worldwide's (NASDAQ: MNST) rating to Buy from Hold and sees an attractive long-term opportunity as near-term margin pressure issues are providing an opportunity.

• CIBC upgraded shares of Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) to Sector Performer from Underperformer to reflect solid Q3 results and an improved 2008 outlook. Citigroup raised Microsoft's rating to Buy from Hold after the quarterly report.

• UBS upgraded both XM Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: XMSR) to Buy from Neutral citing improving fundamentals and Sirius Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) to Buy from Neutral on better operational execution...

OTHER UPGRADES:

• Goldman upgraded NetGear, Inc (NASDAQ: NTGR) to Neutral from Sell.

• KLA-Tencor Corp (NASDAQ: KLAC) was raised to Neutral from Underperform at First Albany following positive Q3 results.

• Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc (NASDAQ: ALSK) was upgraded to Hold from Sell at Stifel following its first quarter report.

• RBC Capital raised Baidu.com, Inc (NASDAQ: BIDU) to Outperform from Sector Perform citing guidance that indicated a reacceleration of underlying fundamentals.

• JP Morgan added Taser International, Inc (NASDAQ: TASR) to its SMID Money List and will maintain its Outperform rating.

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

MOST NOTEWORTHY: US Steel Corp (X), Nvidia Corp (NVDA), Hansen Natural Corp (HANS), Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc (TTWO) were some of today's noteworthy upgrades:

• UBS upgraded US Steel Corp (NYSE: X) to Neutral from Reduce to reflect the Q2 price hike and strong international demand.

• Stifel upgraded Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA) to Hold from Sell on valuation.

• JP Morgan upgraded Hansen Natural Corp (NASDAQ: HANS) to Overweight from Neutral citing valuation and recent positive developments.

• Soleil believes Take-Two Interactive Software Inc (NASDAQ: TTWO) could enjoy support from the success of the investor group in voting in 5 new board directors and replacing the current CEO.

OTHER UPGRADES:

• Lehman upgraded LG Philips LCD Co, Ltd (NYSE: LPL) to Equal-Weight from Underweight to reflect an earlier-than-expected turnaround for the LCD industry.

• RBC hiked Sonic Corp (NASDAQ: SONC) up to Peer Perform from Underperform with a $23 target.

• Credit Suisse believes Caterpillar Inc (NYSE: CAT) has the most attractive risk/reward in the construction and farm machinery sector and added the stock to its Focus List today.

• Stifel upgraded Broadcom Corp (NASDAQ: BRCM) To Buy from Hold with a $40 target.

• Matrix USA upgraded NetGear, Inc (NASDAQ: NTGR) to Buy from Hold on valuation.

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

When you want to network a big business, there are any number of firms that would be glad to help you. If you only want to connect a few systems, though, there is a company in Santa Clara, California that has what you need to do it yourself.

Netgear (NASDAQ:NTGR) provides networking products that address the specific needs of small businesses and home users. The company's hubs, routers, switches, servers and interfaces enable customers to share Internet access, peripherals, files, digital multimedia content and applications among multiple personal computers and other Internet-enabled devices. The firm sells through distributors, to retailers, to service providers and through its online store. Netgear uses third-party manufacturing contractors in China and Taiwan to produce its equipment.

The company surprised the Street last week, when it reported Q4 EPS of 43 cents and revenues of $164 million. Analysts had been expecting 37 cents and $158.6 million. Management also guided Q1 revenues to $160-$165, versus consensus of $159.56 million. The CEO attributed success to the introduction of twelve new products in the fourth quarter and to a solid growth rate of revenue from service providers. NTGR shares completed a "double bottom" formation on the news, popping through 50-day and 30-day moving average resistance into 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. The 30-day curve now appears to be offering support to the pennant.

Brokers recommend the shares with two "strong buys," four "buys," six "holds" and one "sell." Analysts see a fifteen percent average annual growth rate, through the next five years. The NTGR Price to Sales ratio (1.67), Price to Book ratio (3.26), Sales Growth rate (34.65%), EPS Growth rate (59.26%) and Return on Investment (15.51%) compare favorably with industry, sector and S&P 500 averages.

Institutions hold about 95% 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 $16.85 and $31.31. A stop-loss of $25.10 looks good here.

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

Netgear (NASDAQ: NTGR) is weak today on no company specific news that we see. The "buzz" is that shares of Netgear are weak after Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) said on its Apple.com website that the Apple TV is its top selling product even though its not out yet, which if one were to speculate could mean that pre-orders are strong.

Netgear is expected to compete with Apple's Apple TV with their recently announced EVA8000 Digital Entertainer HD set-top box.

Mac users have long been disappointed that Skype wasn't offering them the full services it was offering Windows users. Well, today Skype went one step closer when it released a beta version of Skype for Mac 2.0, enabling Skype users operating on a Mac based computer to make free video calls to other Skype users regardless of platform, thus allowing Mac users to connect with the 113 million Skype users.

According to some bloggers the version offered by Skype for Mac is still 1.5 while Skype for Windows version is at 2.5. Yet despite that Mac users around the Internet seem ecstatic with the new option. The one-on-one video calls can be viewed within a window or on the whole screen and includes a small window for self viewing. The calls are free as are all Skype calls from computer to computer.

This comes on the tails of a NETGEAR announcement of yesterday about a NETGEAR (NASDAQ: NTGR) device certified to make Skype WiFi Internet calling. According to NETGEAR, the new phone has been pre-ordered in what they call "an impressive number of sales." The phone will be shipping this week to those who pre-ordered it in the U.S. and Canada. Price tag: $249.99. It will be available in Europe and Asia-Pacific by early October.

Skype is wholly owned subsidiary of eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY).