Ross Stores (NASDAQ: ROST) is a leading U.S. off-price retailer of name brand apparel, accessories, footwear and home fashions. The firm operates 888 Ross Dress for Less stores and 55 dd's Discounts locations, in 27 states and Guam. Target (NYSE: TGT) and Kohl's (NYSE: KSS) are major competitors.

The company pleased investors late last month, when it reported Q2 EPS of 54 cents and revenues of $1.64 billion. Analysts had been expecting 54 cents and $1.61 billion. Management also guided Q3 EPS to 42-44 cents (43 cent consensus) and Q4 EPS to 78-81 cents (80 cent consensus). CL King subsequently reiterated its "strong buy" rating on the shares and the firm was able to report August same store sales that topped the Wall Street view.

Shanda Interactive Entertainment (NASDAQ: SNDA) is a leading interactive entertainment media company in China. The firm offers a diversified content portfolio, including massively multi-player online role-playing games, online board games, network PC games, cartoons, works of literature and music. Shanda's interactive platform attracts a loyal base of users, who pay access subscription fees. Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) is a major competitor.

The company pleased investors earlier in the month, when it reported fiscal Q2 EPS of 56 cents and revenues of $122.1 million. Analysts had been looking for 51 cents and $115.3 million. Revenues from massively multiplayer online role-playing games increased 47.0% year-over-year and 8.5% quarter-over-quarter, to a record high of $101.3 million. Oppenheimer subsequently upgraded the stock to "outperform" and Brean Murray reiterated its "buy" rating.

Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE: WMT) is the world's largest retailer, offering a vast array of general merchandise through some 7,350 stores. That total includes nearly 1,000 discount stores, over 2,800 combination discount and grocery stores and about 600 warehouse outlets. More than half of Wal-Mart's stores are in the United States, but the firm has a widespread and growing international presence. It is the biggest retailer in Canada and Mexico, has a 95% stake in Japan's Seiyu and has developing operations in Europe, South America and Asia. The company employs more than two million associates and serves more than 200 million customers per year. Target (NYSE: TGT) and Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST) are major competitors.

The stock has been a steady gainer of late, advancing on word of better than expected Q2 results, solid expectations for Q3/FY09, decent same-store sales figures, international development, and generally favorable analyst commentary.

Herman Miller (NASDAQ: MLHR) designs and manufactures interior furnishings for office, healthcare, educational and residential settings. Offerings include modular systems, filing and storage systems, wooden casegoods, executive task chairs and desk lamps. Products are manufactured in the U.S. and the U.K. for customers in North America, Europe, Asian and Australia.

The firm pleased investors late last month, when it reported fiscal Q4 EPS of 71 cents and revenues of $519.1 million. Analysts had been looking for 57 cents and $488.4 million. Management also guided Q1 EPS and revenues to ranges in-line with consensus Street views. In discussing the solid results, the company credited the effects of its international expansion program.

Taleo Corporation (NASDAQ: TLEO) offers software that allows businesses to efficiently manage their staffing processes. Products help to automate recruitment, background screening, regulatory compliance, skills assessment and tracking of professional, hourly, and temporary employees. The firm's professional services division provides implementation and technical support. Customers range from small businesses to global enterprises. Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ), Dow Chemical (NYSE: DOW) and Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE: FCX) are among Taleo's large-cap clients.

Investors were pleased last month, when the company affirmed its Q2 EPS and revenue guidance figures. Management also said it expected this week's acquisition of talent management software maker Vurv Technology to add to its 2008 results, projecting EPS of 62 cents (60 cent consensus) and revenues of $175-$177 million ($162.8M consensus).

EMCOR Group (NYSE: EME) plans, installs, operates and maintains the systems that create facility environments. These include installations for power generation, power distribution, lighting, security, communications, plumbing, waste treatment, heating, ventilation, refrigeration and air-conditioning. The firm also provides facilities management and maintenance support. It serves commercial, industrial and institutional clients such as Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) and Wachovia Corporation (NYSE: WB). Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) is a major competitor.

The Street was surprised last week, when EMCOR guided FY08 EPS from $2.08-$2.28 to $2.22-$2.42 and FY08 revenues from $6.3-$6.5 billion to $6.8-$7.0 billion. Analysts had been looking for $2.31 and $6.76 billion. The CEO cited "solid order activity" and a "strong contract backlog" for the favorable view.

Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE: WMT) is the world's largest retailer, offering a vast array of general merchandise through some 7,350 stores. That total includes nearly 1,000 discount stores, over 2,800 combination discount and grocery stores and about 600 warehouse outlets. More than half of Wal-Mart's facilities are in the United States, but the firm has a widespread and growing international presence. It is the biggest retailer in Canada and Mexico, has a 95% stake in Japan's Seiyu and has developing operations in Europe, South America and Asia. The company employs more than two million associates and serves more than 200 million customers per year. Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST) and Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) are competitors.

The stock has been a steady Q2 gainer, advancing on word of solid Q1 results, better than expected same-store sales figures, an expanding discount drug program, international development, and favorable analyst commentary.

Transocean (NYSE: RIG) is the world's largest offshore drilling contractor and a leading provider of drilling management services worldwide. The company owns, or operates, a contract drilling fleet of 138 mobile units, including 39 high-specification floaters, 29 midwater floaters, 10 high-specification jackups and 56 standard jackups. It operates in the world's major offshore oil-producing regions, including the Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea, Canada, the Middle East, Brazil, Africa and Asia. Chevron (NYSE: CVX), BP (NYSE: BP) and Petroleo Brasileiro (NYSE: PBR) are major customers.

The stock has been a steady gainer, since the January market downdraft, advancing on word of solid quarterly results, new and renewed contracts and optimistic analyst remarks. Essentially, a global shortage of deep-water drilling units has established a long-term, favorable pricing environment for the company.

Conn's, Inc. (NASDAQ: CONN) is a specialty retailer of home appliances and consumer electronics. Offerings include refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, dishwashers, digital cameras, DVD players, video game equipment, televisions and home theater products. The company also carries home office equipment, lawn and garden equipment, mattresses, and furniture. Conn's operates through a website and about 70 stores in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) and Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) are competitors.

The firm pleased investors last week, when it reported solid Q1 results and issued in-line guidance for FY09 earnings. The news kept CONN shares cycling through a positive 11-week trading channel.

Research In Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) is a leading provider of wireless communications hardware, software and services. Company devices allow access to email, telephone, messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM products include the BlackBerry wireless platform and the RIM Wireless Handheld product line. The firm also provides software development tools and makes radio-based modems that other manufacturers incorporate into their portable devices. Competitors include Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Nokia (NYSE: NOK).

The stock is up more than 40% over the past three months, in response to such issues as better than expected Q4 results, upside guidance for Q1, research showing a mobile email explosion, continued penetration of worldwide markets, and the release of details regarding the BlackBerry Bold 3G cell phone due this summer. Seven brokerages reiterated their "buy" recommendations over the period. The average price target was nearly $160.

AK Steel Holding Corporation (NYSE: AKS) produces carbon, stainless and electrical steel products. The firm makes cold-rolled and aluminum-coated stainless steel for automakers, provides energy efficient electrical steels to makers of power transmission and distribution equipment, and sells hot- and cold-rolled carbon steel to construction companies, automakers and industrial machinery producers. It also manufactures carbon and stainless steel tubular products and makes antimicrobial coated steels for appliances. The firm has major plants and offices in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. Clients include Ford Motor (NYSE: F), General Electric (NYSE: GE) and Toyota Motor (NYSE: TM).

The stock is up 30% so far in Q2, on word of a solid Q1 earnings report (4/22) and several successful price increases/surcharge levies. The firm said that soaring global steel prices and favorable labor contracts have enabled it to boost profits beyond expectations. Analysts have pointed to expansion in developing economies and historically low levels of inventory as the factors fueling demand.

Semtech Corporation (NASDAQ: SMTC) designs, develops and markets analog and mixed signal semiconductor products. The devices handle power management, timing circuitry, current conversion, voltage surges, parametric measurement and other functions in computers, test equipment, cell phones, network equipment and base stations. Customers include Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Dell (NASDAQ: DELL) and Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ).

The firm surprised the Street last week, when it reported Q1 EPS of 22 cents and revenues of $74.4 million. Analysts had been expecting 20 cents and $72 million. The sales total was a Q1 company record. Management also guided Q2 EPS to 23-24 cents (22 cent consensus).

NCI, Inc. (NASDAQ: NCIT) is an information technology firm, providing engineering and professional services to U.S. federal government agencies. Company expertise involves enterprise systems management, network engineering, legacy migration, information assurance, systems integration, logistics and training. NCI employs 2,200, at nearly 100 locations worldwide.

The firm pleased investors late last month, when it reported Q1 EPS of 27 cents and revenues of $91.5 million. Analysts had been looking for 26 cents and $87.9 million. Total backlog passed the $1 billion mark. Management also guided Q2 EPS to 27-29 cents (27 cent consensus), Q2 revenues to $92-$96 million ($90.85M consensus), FY08 EPS to $1.14-$1.22 ($1.13 consensus) and FY08 revenues to $385-$395 million ($372.16M consensus).

Extra Space Storage (NYSE: EXR) is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust that operates 651 self-storage properties in 33 states and Washington, D.C. The company's properties consist of approximately 448,000 units and 47 million square feet, rented by over 330,000 individual tenants. In addition to on-site management and storage supplies, many of the firm's facilities feature monitored video surveillance and alarm-equipped units. Extra Space Storage is the second largest operator of self-storage in the United States.

The firm pleased investors earlier in the week, when it announced Q1 funds from operations of 28 cents per share and revenues of $65.7 million. Analysts had been expecting 25 cents and $60.6 million. Management also guided Q2 FFO to 30-31 cents per share (29 cent consensus) and FY08 FFO to $1.23-$1.27 per share ($1.19 consensus).

Research In Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) is a leading provider of wireless communications hardware, software and services. Company devices allow access to email, telephone, messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM products include the BlackBerry wireless platform and the RIM Wireless Handheld product line. The firm also provides software development tools and makes radio-based modems that other manufacturers incorporate into their portable devices. Competitors include Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Motorola (NYSE: MOT) and Nokia (NYSE: NOK).

The company surprised the Street earlier in the month, when it reported Q4 EPS of 72 cents and revenues of $1.88 billion. Analysts had been looking for 70 cents and $1.86 billion. Management also guided Q1 EPS to 82-86 cents (76 cent consensus) and Q1 revenues to $2.23-$2.30 billion ($2.02B consensus). In discussing the solid numbers, the firm noted that heightened retail activities helped drive exceptional subscriber growth during the quarter. Oppenheimer, Lehman Brothers and Caris subsequently reiterated "buy" recommendations on the stock and declared price targets in the $135-$150 range.