It is said that Archimedes discovered the principle of displacement while sitting in a tub of water. It's not unusual for insights to occur at unforeseen times. So too it was with economist Edwin Coppock. On being told that it took 11 to 14 months to mourn a death, he used this idea to develop an indicator that would predict a sustained rally after an economic downturn.

The Coppock indicator is the sum of a 14-month rate of change in an index and 11-month rate of change, smoothed out by a 10-period weighted moving average. When the curve less than zero and rises, that is a "buy" signal. The deeper it goes below zero, the more powerful the rally. The Coppock indicator has predicted 16 U.S. rallies from 17 "buy" signals, and recently the Coppock indicator gave another "buy" signal.

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.

K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN) offers proprietary curriculum, software, and educational services for online delivery to students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Products include online public schools and individualized supplemental programs offered through traditional public schools. The firm also operates the K12 International Academy, a diploma-granting online private school. Courses cover core subjects, such as English, math, science, history and art. K12 serves more than 40,000 students.

The company pleased investors last week, when it reported a fiscal Q4 loss of a penny per share and revenues of $56.5 million. Analysts had been looking for a five cent per share deficit and sales of $47.8 million. Management also said it expected enrollment growth to drive FY09 revenues past $300 million ($283.12M consensus). Argus subsequently reiterated its "buy" rating on the shares and boosted its price target to $33.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) is engaged in the design, development, and production of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and electric energy technologies for various industries and governmental agencies. The company's small aircraft are used by U.S. Department of Defense customers to deliver real-time reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition to tactical operating units. Its electrical products include recharge systems for industrial vehicle batteries and power processing test equipment. Ford Motor (NYSE: F) and Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) are on the company's commercial customer list. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is a major competitor.

The firm pleased investors last week, when it reported fiscal Q1 EPS of 22 cents and revenues of $53.6 million. Analysts had been expecting 18 cents and $49.9 million. Management also maintained its FY09 guidance for year over year revenue growth of 20%-25%, with an operating income margin of 12%-14%. The CEO noted, "Winning the All Environment Capable Variant competition with our Puma AE earned us the fourth Department of Defense program of record for small UAS."

Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance (NASDAQ: ULTA) sells cosmetics, fragrances, haircare products, skincare products and related accessories through a chain of 283 specialty retail shops in 34 states. The stores also feature hair salon services, manicures, pedicures, massages, and other beauty and spa treatments. A company website offers over 21,000 prestige and mass beauty products. Macy's (NYSE: M) is a major competitor.

The firm pleased investors last week, when it reported Q2 EPS of six cents, a penny above the average Wall Street estimate. Revenues rose 24.3% (yr/yr) to $249.1 million. The CEO attributed success to the company's proven marketing strategy and the resilience of the beauty retailing category. Management also guided Q3 EPS to 8-10 cents (10 cent consensus), Q3 revenues to $259-$263 million ($258.80M consensus), FY09 EPS to 52-57 cents (54 cent consensus) and FY09 revenues to $1.12-$1.13 billion ($1.13B consensus).

America's Car-Mart (NASDAQ: CRMT) operates 91 automotive dealerships, located primarily in the smaller urban markets of eight South-Central states. The dealerships focus on selling and providing the financing for basic, affordable cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles. Competitors include AutoNation (NYSE: AN) and CarMax (NYSE: KMX).

The company pleased investors last week, when it reported fiscal Q1 EPS of 45 cents and revenues of $75.7 million. Analysts had been looking for 38 cents and $73.8 million. The CEO expressed confidence in the firm's ability to maintain a positive sales trend, noting that Q1 retail unit sales had increased 25.8% (yr/yr) and Q1 same store revenues had risen 28.5% (yr/yr).

Zale Corporation (NYSE: ZLC) is a specialty retailer of fine jewelry, operating over 2,100 retail locations throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Company brands include Zales Jewelers, Zales Outlet, Gordon's Jewelers, Peoples Jewellers, Mappins Jewellers and Piercing Pagoda. The firm also operates Zales and Gordon's websites. Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) is a major competitor.

The firm surprised investors late last month, when it reported a Q4 loss of 48 cents and revenues of $456.2 million. Analysts had been looking for a loss of 57 cents and $448.9 million. There was a 6.1% year over year increase in Q4 comparable store sales. Management also guided FY09 EPS to $1.10-$1.25, versus Street consensus of 90 cents. The CEO spoke of implementing programs designed to simplify product assortment and eliminate organizational redundancies.

Newport Corporation (NASDAQ: NEWP) manufactures a variety of high technology systems and components used in the aerospace, fiber-optic communications, health care, and semiconductor manufacturing industries. These include lasers and amplifiers, photonics instruments, precision micro-positioning systems, vibration isolation systems, optical hardware and opto-mechanical subassemblies. The firm also offers automated systems for manufacturing disk drives, photovoltaic cells and multi-chip modules. Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A) and Corning (NYSE: GLW) are major competitors.

The firm pleased investors last week, when it announced workforce reduction, outsourcing and administrative streamlining actions designed to improve financial performance. Management also guided Q3 revenues to $106-$112 million ($109.7M consensus), Q4 EPS to 15-25 cents (13 cent consensus) and Q4 revenues to $115-$125 million ($121.3M consensus).

NuStar Energy L.P. (NYSE: NS) is a publicly traded limited partnership, based in San Antonio, operating 9,063 miles of pipeline, 85 terminal facilities, four crude oil storage tank facilities and two asphalt refineries. The terminals offer pilotage, tug assistance and other ship services. The firm is one of the largest asphalt refiners and independent liquids terminal operators in the United States. It also operates facilities in the Netherlands Antilles, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. BP plc (NYSE: BP) is a major competitor

NuStar pleased investors late last month, when it announced that strong asphalt revenues were expected to generate Q3 earnings of at least $2.25 per share. The Street was looking for $1.55. The CEO noted that tight supply conditions were resulting in a significant increase in the margins for asphalt and intermediate products.

Dollar Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: DLLR) operates over 1,450 financially-oriented service stores in the U.S., Canada, Ireland and the U.K. Its customers are typically low to moderate income service sector earners, who don't use, or have access to banks. Services include check cashing, short-term consumer loans, money order/transfer products, reloadable debit cards, electronic tax filing, bill payment services and legal document processing. The company does business under the names Money Mart, Loan Mart, Insta-Cheques and Money Shop.

Dollar Financial pleased investors last week, when it reported fiscal Q4 EPS of 59 cents and revenues of $150.3 million. Analysts had been looking for 58 cents and $136.3 million. The CEO noted that fiscal 2008 brought record annual revenues and a record net income. Management also guided FY09 revenues to $595-$625 million, versus Street consensus of $586.28 million. JMP Securities subsequently reiterated its "market outperform" rating on the stock. Jefferies and Roth Capital reiterated their "buys".

Esterline Technologies (NYSE: ESL) is engaged in the design, manufacture, and marketing of engineered products and systems for applications in the aerospace and defense industries. The Avionics & Controls unit makes communications systems, medical equipment, and interface systems for aircraft and military vehicles. The Sensors & Systems operation manufactures temperature and pressure sensors, as well as fluid and motion control products. The Advanced Materials segment makes elastomer products, combustible ammunition components and electronic warfare countermeasures. Boeing (NYSE: BA) is a major customer. Eaton Corporation (NYSE: ETN) is a competitor.

The company surprised investors last week, when it reported Q3 EPS of 68 cents and revenues of $382.1 million. The Street had been expecting 64 cents and $374.6 million. Backlog at the end of the quarter was up 11.1% (yr/yr) to $1.06 billion. The CEO attributed success to robust aftermarket activity in both the commercial aerospace and defense markets. Management also guided FY08 EPS to $3.50-$3.60, versus consensus of $3.58.

Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF) is engaged in the design, manufacture, and retailing of fine jewelry, timepieces, sterling silverware, china, crystal, stationery, fragrances and personal accessories. The firm sells its goods exclusively through some 150 stores worldwide, a Web site and catalogs.

The company pleased investors last week, when it reported Q2 EPS of 63 cents and revenues of $732.4 million. Analysts had been expecting 55 cents and $720.6 million. Management also guided FY09 EPS to $2.82-$2.92 ($2.83 consensus). The CEO noted, "Our continued expansion throughout Asia and Europe should contribute to increasingly consistent and resilient long-term earnings growth." Lehman Brothers subsequently reiterated its "overweight" rating on the issue.

Alliant Energy Corporation (NYSE: LNT) is a Midwestern U.S. energy utility, serving approximately one million electric and 400,000 natural gas customers through regulated subsidiaries Interstate Power and Light and Wisconsin Power and Light. Nonregulated operations include rail and marine transportation services, independent power production and real estate. Alliant also provides engineering, consulting, and management services. Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) is a major competitor.

The company pleased investors last month, when it reported Q2 EPS of 47 cents and revenues of $827.4 million. Analysts had been looking for 39 cents and $770 million. The CEO noted that Alliant had secured 500 megawatts of wind turbine generators during the quarter, expecting wind to play an integral part in meeting future customer needs. Management also guided FY08 EPS to $2.60-$2.80, versus Street consensus of $2.57.

The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE: SJM) is a leading North American maker of fruit spreads, peanut butter, shortening and oils, ice cream toppings, sweetened condensed milk, and health and natural foods beverages. Company brand names include Smucker's, Jif, Crisco, Eagle Brand, Hungry Jack, Laura Scudder and Robin Hood. The firm also markets Pillsbury, Pillsbury Doughboy, Carnation, Borden, and Elsie brand products under license. ConAgra Foods (NYSE: CAG) is a major competitor.

Smucker pleased investors earlier in the month, when it reported fiscal Q1 EPS of 82 cents and revenues of $663.7 million. Analysts had been looking for 77 cents and $647.2 million. Management also guided FY09 EPS to $3.45-$3.50 ($3.44 consensus) and FY09 revenues to $3.8-$4.0 billion ($3.86B consensus). The outlook figures take into account the previously announced purchase of Procter & Gamble's (NYSE: PG) Folgers coffee business.