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

• America's Car-Mart Inc. (NASDAQ: CRMT) beat estimates by closing underperforming branches.
• Aristotle Corp. (NASDAQ: ARTL) fourth-quarter revenue edged up while earnings slipped.
• Blackstone Group (NYSE: BX) fourth-quarter profit plunged on bond insurance related write-downs.
• Boston Beer Co. Inc. (NYSE: SAM) fourth-quarter profit more than doubled as drinkers switch to craft beers.
• CAI International Inc. (NYSE: CAP) beat expectations fourth quarter and raised its guidance.
• Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) offered encouraging guidance for the full year and long term.
• Consolidated Communications Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSL) beat estimates for the fourth quarter.
• Flow International Corp. (NASDAQ: FLOW) beat expectations, sending shares up sharply.
• Gehl Co. (NASDAQ: GEHL) fourth-quarter profit fell but beat expectations due to international growth.
• J. Crew Group Inc. (NYSE: JCG) raised its full-year outlook, sending shares higher.
• Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) beat fourth-quarter expectations though profit slumped due to inflation.
• Maidenform Brands Inc. (NYSE: MFB) beat fourth quarter estimates due to sourcing initiatives.
• Smart Balance Inc. (NASDAQ: SMBL) nearly doubled its fourth-quarter loss despite strong revenue growth.
• Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO) posted a narrower-than-expected first-quarter loss.
• WellPoint Inc. (NYSE: WLP) cut its first-quarter and full-year forecasts on higher expenses.

Both large-screen motion picture systems company Imax Corp. (NASDAQ: IMAX) and health food distributor Smart Balance Inc. (NASDAQ: SMBL) reported today widening losses in the fourth-quarter.

For the period that ended December 31, Toronto-based Imax reported a loss of $10.1 million, or 25 cents per share, compared with a loss of $9.2 million, or 23 cents per share, in the previous year. Excluding one-time charges, Imax's quarterly loss was 21 cents per share. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial had expected a loss of 13 cents per share. Fourth quarter revenue declined 12% to $32.3 million, largely on lower equipment and product sales.

Imax reported an annual loss of $26.9 million, or 67 cents per share, compared with a loss of $16.8 million, or 42 cents per share, a year earlier. Analysts had expected a loss of 42 cents per share. Full-year revenue dropped 9% to $115.8 million.

Smart-Balance's quarterly loss totaled $48.5 million, or $1.41 per share, from $11.1 million, or 77 cents per share in the prior year. Revenue grew 26% from the year-ago quarter to $50.7 million, helped by higher prices and higher demand for Smart Balance spreads, peanut butter, cooking oil, and mayonnaise.

For the year, the company's net loss grew to $101.7 million, or $4.12 per share, from $13.8 million, or 96 cents per share, a year ago. Analysts had expected a loss of 80 cents per share. Revenue grew 28% to $175.6 million.

While Imax fell only about 1.8% to close at $6.62, Smart Balance fell more than 15% to close at $5.65, after hitting a new 52-week low of $5.48 in afternoon trading.

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MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Citigroup initiated Smart Balance (NASDAQ: SMBL) with a Hold rating and $9 target, as they believe success of the company's new products is not a foregone conclusion and prefers to wait for increased visibility before becoming more positive on the name.
  
• JP Morgan believes Cascal NV (NYSE: HOO) will leverage its global scale and expertise in water infrastructure markets to drive 25% annual EPS growth through 2010. The firm has an Overweight rating on the stock.
  
• Ashland (NYSE: ASH) was started with a Positive rating as Susquehanna, as they are positive on ASH's earnings power. The firm views shares as a compelling risk/reward opportunity.

• Broadpoint assumed SuccessFactors (NASDAQ: SFSF) with a Strong Buy rating and $12 target.
  
• Morgan Stanley initiated Fastenal (NASDAQ: FAST) with an Equal Weight rating and $40 target.
  
• RBC Capital started Ultra Petroleum (NYSE: UPL) with a Sector Perform rating and $80 target.