Zebra Technologies (NASDAQ: ZBRA) provides printers, supplies and software used to produce bar codes, text and graphics on labels, cards, receipts, tickets and tags. It also makes EPC-compatible radio frequency identification (RFID) smart label printers/encoders for firms required to comply with major retail and government mandates. The company's products are used by businesses and governments in over 100 countries around the world, including more than 90% of the firms in the Fortune 500. Major clients include AMR Corporation (NYSE: AMR), Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) and Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB).

The Street was surprised late last month, when the company reported Q4 EPS of 45 cents and revenues of $233.6 million. Analysts had been looking for 43 cents and $226 million. Management also guided Q1 EPS to 36-44 cents (42 cent consensus) and Q1 revenues to $238-$255 million ($232.78M consensus). The Board authorized the purchase of an additional three million common shares.

Optical bar codes are on most of the products we buy in stores these days, and there is a firm in Vernon Hills, Illinois, that is a leader in making the machines that create the codes. The same company also provides the machines that make the radio frequency labels that are replacing barcodes.

Zebra Technologies (NASDAQ: ZBRA) provides printers, supplies and software used to produce bar codes, text and graphics on labels, cards, receipts, tickets and tags. It also makes EPC-compatible radio frequency identification (RFID) smart label printers/encoders for firms required to comply with major retail and government mandates. The company's products are used by businesses and governments in 100 countries around the world, including ninety percent of the firms in the Fortune 500. Major clients include AMR Corporation (NYSE: AMR), Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) and Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB).