Acuity Brands (AYI) closed up by more than 6% on Thursday to $44.90. An analyst upgrade from BB&T Capital Markets (from hold to buy) helped to spark the bid, which was backed by a high volume of shares traded. Earlier in the week, Acuity released its fiscal Q2 results. Let's see what we can make of the situation.

Basically, things seem pretty flat. Net sales fell less than 1%. Earnings per diluted share, on an adjusted basis and from continuing operations, calculated out to 40 cents (the expectation was for 39 cents of per-share profit). That was a single penny less than what was made during the second quarter of 2009. Net cash from operations for the six-month frame, however, wasn't so boring: the metric jumped significantly to $47 million compared to a use of almost $4 million to fund operations in the prior year's six-month stretch.

I'm reiterating my Buy rating for Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV (NYSE: PHG), commonly known as Philips, first recommended on June 2, 2009 at a price of $20.30. If you purchased PHG then, you're up about 20%.

Amsterdam-based Philips missed the Street's revenue and earnings estimates in Q2, in what amounted to an essentially break-even quarter.

An innovator in LED (light emitting diode) lighting and display, Color Kinetics (Nasdaq: CLRK) may, after 10 years in business, begin to gain some momentum if recent earnings are any indication. 1Q 2007 revenue increased 28% to $18.8 million, so this is a small company. The big news, however, is that GAAP net income increased 697%, not a typo, to $1.5 million or diluted EPS of $0.07, up from 1Q 2006 net income of $188,000 or $0.01 diluted EPS. Non-GAAP net income was $2.3 million, from which $814,000 went to stock-based compensation.

Gross margins improved to 55%. More importantly, Color Kinetics signed 12 new licensing agreements, several of them huge customers such as Ford Motor Company. As a result of landing new big clients, licensing revenue was up 88%. Color Kinetics is living up to its reputation as a lighting innovator, receiving 7 patents in 1Q 2007 alone. This stock may catch some momentum, as the company is flexible and innovative enough to respond quickly to market demand, has a demonstrated record of technical expertise in its field, and can offer clients a necessary product, lighting, that is much more energy efficient, longer lasting, lower maintenance than most current products.

2Q 2007 revenues are forecast in the range of $20-$21 million, with GAAP net income between $0.05-$0.07 per share.The stock closed recently at $27.48, down $0.19.

As I was considering what to blog about, it occurred to me that we haven't heard from General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) lately. I usually consider that a good sign because it most often means that things are progressing as they should. I hopped over to the G.E. website to see what those good folks have been up to. I found some interesting things over there and yes, some boring things too. Boring things can be just as important as exciting things. I have brought back some of both for you.

This past Monday, GE named Michael E. Chen President and CEO of its Global Media and Communications operations. Chen's move to this position is in recognition of his prowess in specialized customer relations and an overall leadership style which has earned him high regard at GE. Michael Chen has been referred to as one of the top customer relations experts in the country. Congratulations and good luck Michael!

General Electric has received Popular Mechanics 2006 Breakthrough Award for technology which brings hydrogen electrolysis into the realm of economic reality. What this means to us regular folks is that they are now able to extract hydrogen from water in a way that should make it economical to use as fuel. GE undertook the project with the goal of cutting the costs associated with hydrogen production. Guess what folks, they did it! OPEC will be green with envy.

GE and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) have teamed up to replace conventional fluorescent lighting in Wal-Mart's refrigerated display units. This will reduce the power draw of those displays by up to 78%. This move is part of Walmart's environmental sustainability directive. Wal-Mart estimates this change of lighting in 500 stores will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 35 million pounds yearly. The press release is really very amazing to read! The future is upon you folks!

There's a lot more information on their website that is worth reading. It's definitely worth the trip over there. The funny thing is that this is headline stuff. Why isn't it making it into the press? You won't hear about these breakthroughs on CNN or Fox News. I wonder why not -- who's in charge over there? They yell and scream about supposed global warming, but when the solutions come around they clam up! Go figure.