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.

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).

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.

VeriFone Holdings (NYSE: PAY) makes and services transaction automation systems that enable electronic payments between consumers, merchants and financial institutions. Products include point-of-sale software and terminals, smart card/check readers, receipt printers and Internet commerce software. The firm also makes gas station electronic payment systems that combine card processing and fuel dispensing. Further, it offers a range of client services and customized application development. About 60% of the firm's revenues are generated from customers outside the U.S.

The company pleased the Street last week, when it appointed an interim CFO to replace an officer who resigned following a probe into company accounting errors. VeriFone corrected its books the same day, by deleting $70 million in previously reported fiscal 2007 profits. Management also issued a favorable forecast, guiding Q308 EPS to 34-35 cents (28 cent consensus), Q3 revenues to $256-$258 million ($248.3M consensus), Q408 EPS to 36-39 cents (30 cent consensus), Q4 revenues to $260-$268 million ($255.2M consensus) and FY09 EPS to $1.35-$1.55 ($1.14 consensus). The CEO pointed out that the firm was seeing excellent growth internationally, particularly in emerging markets.

URS Corporation (NYSE: URS) provides engineering, construction and technical services to public agencies and private sector companies around the world. The firm offers a full range of program management; planning, design and engineering; systems engineering and technical assistance; construction and construction management; operations and maintenance; and decommissioning and closure services. Most clients are involved with infrastructure, power, heavy industry and federal programs. URS employs about 50,000, in over 30 countries. Fluor Corporation (NYSE: FLR) and KBR (NYSE: KBR) are major competitors.

The company pleased investors earlier in the month, when it reported Q2 EPS of 72 cents and revenues of $2.53 billion. Analysts had been looking for 60 cents and $2.45 billion. In discussing the solid quarter, the CEO pointed to the firm's success in building capabilities across such growth areas as power and government work. Management also guided FY08 EPS to $2.36-$2.48 ($2.42) and FY08 revenues to $9.8 billion ($9.75B consensus). Morgan Joseph subsequently reiterated its "buy" rating on the shares and boosted its price target to $54.

Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) is engaged in the generation, purchase, transmission, distribution, and retail sale of electricity in the state of Oregon. The company's generating portfolio consists of thermal, hydro and wind resources. It serves approximately 813,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers. The firm also sells electricity and natural gas in the wholesale market to western U.S. utilities and energy marketers.

The company pleased investors earlier in the month, when it reported Q2 EPS of 63 cents and revenues of $425 million. Analysts had been looking for 58 cents and $419 million. Management also guided FY08 EPS to $1.85-$1.95, versus Street consensus of $1.80. In discussing significant capital projects, the CEO noted that the firm is moving forward with the next phase of a wind farm and with the implementation of a new smart-metering technology.

Fuqi International (NASDAQ: FUQI) designs, develops and sells precious metal jewelry in the People's Republic of China. It offers rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and pendants made from such precious metals as platinum, gold, palladium and karat gold. The company also manufactures jewelry with diamonds and other precious stone inlays, as well as gold coins and gold bars. Fuqi International was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Shenzhen.

The firm surprised the Street last week, when it reported Q2 EPS of 25 cents and revenues of $66.9 million. The Street had been looking for 20 cents and $62.8 million. Management also guided Q3 EPS to 26-27 cents (21 cent Street), Q3 revenues to $75-$77 million ($70.6M Street), FY08 EPS to $1.07-$1.09 ($1.08 Street) and FY08 revenues to $325-$333 million ($314.2M Street).

BWAY Holding Company (NYSE: BWY), headquartered in Atlanta, is a leading North American manufacturer and distributor of metal and rigid plastic containers for the industrial and consumer products markets. The Metal Packaging segment specializes in steel paint cans, aerosol cans, pails and ammunition boxes. The Plastics Packaging unit provides injection-molded and blow-molded bottles and drums for petroleum products, agricultural chemicals, paints, inks, edible oils, adhesives and sealants. The ICL Industrial Containers division is Canada's leading supplier of plastic and steel pails. Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL) and Crown Holdings (NYSE: CCK) are major competitors.

The firm surprised the Street last week, when it reported fiscal Q3 EPS of 41 cents and revenues of $274 million. Analysts had been looking for 28 cents and $271.6 million. In discussing the successful quarter, the CEO noted increased productivity, better cost containment and the effects of new products. Management also guided FY08 EPS to 70-75 cents, versus Street consensus of 53 cents.

LDK Solar Company (NYSE: LDK) is a leading manufacturer of the multicrystalline solar wafers used to produce solar cells and modules. The firm provides its wafers, as well as wafer processing services, to major manufacturers of photovoltaic products. More than two-thirds of its revenues derive from sales to companies in the Asia/Pacific region, primarily China and Taiwan.

The company pleased investors on Monday, when it reported Q2 EPS of $1.29 and revenues of $441.7 million. Analysts had been expecting 42 cents and $282 million. Management also guided Q3 revenues to $486-$496 million ($307.05M consensus) and FY08 revenues to $1.65-$1.75 billion ($1.16B consensus). The CEO noted that the firm had signed nine long-term wafer supply agreements year-to-date, further diversifying its customer base. On Wednesday, he announced yet another such agreement, with India-based XL Telecom & Energy.

Albany Molecular Research (NASDAQ: AMRI) provides contract services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The firm offers drug discovery, screening programs, libraries for screening and hit-to-lead programs, and analytical quantification of drugs and metabolites in biological samples. The company also conducts its own research, aiming to license its compounds to other firms for further development. Albany Molecular owns a patent for fexofenadine HCl, the key ingredient in Sanofi-Aventis' (NYSE: SNY) antihistamine Allegra.

The company pleased investors last week, when it reported Q2 EPS of 24 cents and revenues of $57.9 million. Analysts had been looking for ten cents and $51.8 million. The CEO noted that submission of a Canadian Clinical Trial Application by partner Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) triggered a milestone payment to Albany that reflected well on the value of the company's strategic technology platform. Management also guided Q3 EPS to 8-10 cents (seven cent consensus) and FY08 EPS to 48-52 cents (38 cent consensus).

Barrett Business Services (NASDAQ: BBSI) provides a range of human resource management services to small and medium-sized U.S. businesses. The company offers both temporary and long-term staffing to some 2,300 clients, focusing on light industrial, clerical, and technical specialties. It also outsources such human resource services as payroll management, benefits administration and recruiting to about 1,200 clients. Barrett operates primarily on the coasts, through a total of 45 offices.

The company pleased investors last week, when it reported Q2 EPS of 29 cents and revenues of $269.4 million. Analysts had been expecting 22 cents and $264.2 million. Management also guided Q3 EPS to 34-36 cents (28 cent consensus) and Q3 revenues to $277-$282 million ($269.32M consensus). Roth Capital subsequently upgraded BBSI to "buy" status.

Tyco International (NYSE: TYC) is a leading provider of security products and services, fire protection and detection products and services, valves and controls, and other industrial products. The firm has operations in more than 60 countries, employing 118,000 worldwide. Customers include commercial and shipping enterprises, governmental entities, military forces, transportation systems, original equipment manufacturers, engineering contractors and homeowners. General Electric (NYSE: GE) and Honeywell International (NYSE: HON) are major competitors.

The company pleased investors last week, when it reported Q3 EPS of 88 cents and revenues of $5.21 billion. Analysts had been expecting 67 cents and $5.15 billion. Each of the firm's five divisions posted double-digit increases in operating income. Management also guided FY08 EPS to $2.97-$2.99 ($2.76 consensus).