Monday, February 18

• Markets closed for Presidents' Day holiday.

Tuesday, February 19

• Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) to report Q4 results before the market opens.
• Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) to report Q3 results; conference call at 8:00am.
• Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE: HPQ) to report Q1 results; conference call at 5:00pm.
• iRobot Corporation (NASDAQ: IRBT) to report Q4 earnings; conference call at 8:30am on Wednesday.

Wednesday, February 20

• PDUFA date for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) Simcor for treating Hypercholesterolemia, Dyslipidemia (lowers non-HDL cholesterol).
• Novatel Wireless, Inc. (NASDAQ: NVTL) to report Q4 results; conference call at 4:30pm.

Thursday, February 21

• MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM) to report Q4 results; conference call at 11:00am.
• Goldcorp Inc. (NYSE: GG) to report Q4 results; conference call at 1:00pm.

Friday, February 22

• Chemed Corporation (NYSE: CHE) to report Q4 results; conference call at 10am.
• Express Scripts, Inc. (NASDAQ: ESRX) to report Q4 results; conference call at 10am.

Wireless communications is fast becoming a necessity, on both the business and personal levels. A San Diego, California company is among the leaders in designing the wireless modems that enable anytime, anywhere communications.

Novatel Wireless (NASDAQ: NVTL) provides wireless broadband access solutions for the mobile communications market. Its PC card modems, embedded wireless modules, desktop wireless gateway consoles and associated software programs connect mobile devices with wireless wide area networks and the Internet. The firm serves wireless network operators, infrastructure providers, distributors, original equipment manufacturers, and vertical markets. It has strategic relationships with Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU), Dell (NASDAQ: DELL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM), Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S) and Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ).

The company pleased investors last week, when it reported Q1 EPS of 40 cents (ex-items) and revenues of $109.8 million. Analysts had been looking for 35 cents and $101.9 million. Management also guided Q2 EPS to 20-22 cents (16 cent consensus), Q2 revenues to $90.0 million ($83.2 M consensus), FY07 EPS to $1.00-$1.05 (89 cent consensus) and FY07 revenues to $380-$390 million ($369.2M consensus). In detailing the solid results, the CEO pointed to strong momentum in the newly introduced ExpressCards and Ovation USB devices. NVTL shares popped into a bullish "pennant" consolidation pattern on the news. Prices frequently leave 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 four "strong buys," three "buys" and eight "holds." Analysts see a 20% average annual growth rate, through the next five years. The NVTL Price to Sales ratio (2.80), Sales Growth rate (173.41%), EPS Growth rate (-0.05 to +0.40 yr/yr) and Revenue per Employee ($908.22k) compare favorably with industry, sector and S&P 500 averages.

Institutions hold about 92% 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 $8.11 and $20.25. A stop-loss of $17.50 looks good here.

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

"Anytime, anywhere communications" is fast becoming a hallmark of civilization. A San Diego, California, company is among the leaders in designing the wireless devices that enable worldwide mobile communications.

Novatel Wireless, Inc. (NASDAQ:NVTL) designs and develops the wireless modems that let users access the internet from anywhere. It delivers a broad range of high-quality, 3G wireless PC cards, ExpressCards, embedded modules, fixed mobile convergence modems and communications software to wireless network operators, distributors and original equipment manufacturers worldwide. The firm holds 30 technology patents and has established partnerships with leading telecom operators, infrastructure providers and device manufacturers.

The company surprised the Street earlier in the week, when it issued upside guidance for fourth quarter results. Management now sees Q4 EPS of 13-14 cents (6-7 cents prior) and Q4 revenues of $76 million ($61-$63 prior). The new numbers top Street consensus estimates of seven cents and $62.46 million. The firm also said it expects FY07 EPS of 55-65 cents (41 cent consensus) and sales of $330-$350 million ($257.73M consensus). Officials remarked that Q4 growth was driven by increased demand across its entire range of offerings. The company ended the quarter with record backlog levels. Shares jumped on the news and are now consolidating the gain in a bullish "flag" pattern. Equities frequently exit flags moving in the same direction they were traveling when they entered them. In this case, that would be to the upside.