ADC Telecommunications (ADCT - option chain) stock is trading lower today after the company posted a fourth-quarter loss last night of $19.8 million, or 20 cents per share, on revenue of $183.9 million. ADCT also forecast a first-quarter adjusted loss of 10 to 0 cents per share on revenue of $250 million to $275 million. Analysts are forecasting a profit of 11 cents per share on revenue of $274 million. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on ADCT.

This morning, ADCT opened at $5.46. So far today the stock has hit a high of $5.93 and a low of $5.35. As of 12:05, ADCT is trading at $5.71, down 93 cents (-14.0%). The chart for ADCT looks bullish and S&P gives ADCT a positive 5 STARS (out of 5) strong buy ranking.

Thursday, The Gap Inc. (GPS) reported that its third-quarter net profit totaled $307 million, or 44 cents per share, up 25% from the year-ago period. Revenue for the quarter added 1% to $3.59 billion, while gross margin surged 380 basis points to 42.5%. Operating margin escalated from 11.1% to 13.9%, marking its highest level in 10 years.

The retail issue also announced a new stock buyback plan worth $500 million. About $20 million of that amount will be repurchased from the family of founder Donald Fisher, who passed away in September.

After-hours traders punished Dell (DELL) stock Thursday, following a weak third quarter earnings report from the technology giant.

Going into the afternoon earnings release, analysts had been expecting to see the company show earnings of 28 cents per share. Actual earnings came in much lower at 23 cents per share.

On Wednesday afternoon, NetApp (NTAP) announced that its second-quarter profit came in more than twice that from the same period a year ago. The company raked in 27 cents per share during the quarter, compared to 13 cents per share a year ago. Excluding items, the tech firm would have pulled in 37 cents per share. Expectations called for earnings of 30 cents per share on revenue of $881.6 million. Actual revenue came in at $910 million, handily topping the consensus estimate.

NTAP's CFO, Steve Gomo, attributed the far better-than-expected earnings to improved sales of the company's main storage-area-networking. This product helps businesses build their data storage operations.

In tech circles, you will hear lots about "cloud computing." Essentially, this means that software applications are operated through Internet connections -- and processed in huge data centers. Often, the results include lower costs and easier maintenance.

Of course, the dominant player in cloud computing is Salesforce.com (CRM). And based on its latest quarterly report, the company continues to grow and innovate.

Tuesday, TJX Companies Inc. (TJX) reported that its profit soared in the third quarter, and fellow retailers Dillard's Inc. (DDS) and Saks Inc. (SKS) said they swung to year-over-year profits in the same period.

TJX posted earnings of $347.8 million, or 81 cents per share, compared with $235.8 million, or 54 cents, in the year-ago period. Analysts had expected TJX to earn 80 cents a share. Sales rose 10% to $5.24 billion, while same-store sales increased 7%.

U.S. mega-retailer Target (TGT) stepped into the earnings spotlight Tuesday morning, and the company had a nice surprise for investors.

The firm reported third-quarter earnings of 58 cents per share, topping both the consensus estimate (50 cents per share) and last year's results (49 cents per share). Quarterly sales totaled $14.8 billion, matching the consensus estimate. For those who do not remember, analysts upped their estimates for Target after the company announced that it would beat its estimate of 43 cents per share.

Perhaps a bit of the shine is wearing off of solar stocks. Solar panel company ReneSola (SOL) turned in a third-quarter loss of $10.2 million, or seven cents per share, compared to earnings of 23 cents per share ($32.4 million) a year ago. Quarterly revenue fell to $141 million from $216 million a year ago. Expectations called for a loss of eight cents per share on revenue of $135.5 million.

The company stated, "We witnessed a strong rebound in customer demand for our quality products in the third quarter of 2009 and reached a corporate landmark as ReneSola achieved the highest quarterly shipments of solar products in its history." I'm not buying it. SOL saw earnings and revenue walk off a cliff when compared to a year ago ... so let's make sure that we talk about great customer demand. Of course, customer demand wasn't good enough to help you swing to a third-quarter profit.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage on BloggingStocks:

• Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF) lower Q3 results still topped expectations and sent shares higher.
• Applied Materials Inc. (AMAT) posted much better-than-expected Q4 earnings, the first profit in a year.
• AstraZeneca (AZN) received an analyst's downgrade due to concerns over its earnings prospects.
• Blackstone Group (BX) received an analyst's upgrade following the company's Q3 results.
• Blockbuster Inc. (BBI) widened its net loss in Q3 and revenue and same-stores sales declined.
• Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (CLNE) shares declined after its Q3 numbers fell short of expectations.
• Consolidated Water Co. Inc. (CWCO) earnings prospects for 2010 earned it an analyst upgrade.

Microsemi (MSCC - option chain) shares are rising today after the company reported earnings last night, posting a fourth-quarter loss of $31.26 million, or 39 cents per share. Excluding one-time items, MSCC earned 24 cents per share on revenue of $109.68 million, beating analysts' forecasts of 23 cents per share on revenue of $109.44 million. If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on MSCC.

MSCC opened this morning at $15.22. So far today the stock has hit a low of $15.21 and a high of $15.94. As of 11:55, MSCC is trading at $15.78 up $1.39 (9.7%). The chart for MSCC looks neutral and S&P gives MSCC a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.

Semiconductor maker Applied Materials (AMAT) reported its fiscal fourth quarter numbers this afternoon following the market close, and the company easily outpaced analyst estimates.

Going into this afternoon's earnings report, analysts had been expecting to see the company show earnings of 3 cents per share, but the company surprised to the upside by posting actual Q4 earnings of 13 cents.

TOL opened this morning at $20.14. So far today the stock has hit a low of $20.00 and a high of $21.47. As of 11:40, TOL is trading at $21.13 up $2.74 (14.9%). The chart for TOL looks bullish and S&P gives TOL a positive 5 STARS (out of 5) strong buy ranking.

Clean Energy Fuels (CLNE - option chain) stock is trading lower today after the company reported third-quarter earnings yesterday evening, posting a loss of $18.46 million, or 31 cents per share, on revenue of $31.18 million. Analysts had forecast a 30-cent loss per share on revenue of $34.96 million. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on CLNE.

This morning, CLNE opened at $12.25. So far today the stock has hit a high of $12.25 and a low of $11.55. As of 11:40, CLNE is trading at $11.87, down 97 cents (-7.6%). The chart for CLNE looks bearish.

(FUQI - option chain) stock is trading lower today after the Chinese jewelry company reported a third-quarter profit this morning that easily topped analysts' estimates. However, FUQI forecast fourth-quarter EPS of 55 to 60 cents and revenue of $182 to $191 million, compared to analysts' forecasts of 58 cents and $184 million, respectively. Revenues for Q3 about 2% below estimates, which is not a great sign. At this point in the economic cycle, traders are looking for optimistic indicators rather than weak or in-line ones. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on FUQI.

This morning, FUQI opened at $24.90. So far today the stock has hit a high of $25.74 and a low of $21.62. As of 12:00, FUQI is trading at $21.23, down $2.10 (-9.0%). The chart for FUQI looks bearish.

Priceline.com Inc. (PCLN), which was recently added to the S&P 500, is scheduled to discuss its third-quarter 2009 financial results in a conference call Monday, November 9, at 4:30 PM ET. You can catch the live webcast of the call on the company's website.

During the three months that ended in September, Priceline announced a partnership with Ticketmaster (TKTM) and launched a rewards Visa card. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect this leading online travel services provider to report that earnings for that period jumped 18.2% from a year ago to $2.92 per share. And revenue for the quarter is expected to be 23.6% higher to $693.9 million.