Here are some highlights from last week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU) reported a surprise profit but is expected to return to losses next quarter.
• Coach Inc. (NYSE: COH) profit and revenue were in line with expectations, sending shares lower.
• Corning Inc. (NYSE: GLW) posted better-than-expected earnings but other concerns drove down shares.
• eHealth Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH) reported solid Q2 numbers but Wall Street was not impressed.
• Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (NYSE: GT) posted a smaller-than-expected Q2 loss, sending shares higher.
• JAKKS Pacific Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) reported swinging to a Q2 net loss and revenues were flat.

MAJOR PAPERS:

• The Wall Street Journal reported that, in an attempt to move past its takeover battle with Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT), Yahoo! Inc (NASDAQ: YHOO) is planning a reorganization. People familiar with the matter said executives are discussing a plan to centralize numerous product groups into a global-product organization. Details may be announced next week.
• The Wall Street Journal also reported that an internal feud at Live Nation Inc (NYSE: LYV) over strategy may soon be resolved, as the concert promoter is reportedly negotiating the exit of chairman Michael Cohl.

• A recommendation by an Australian commission to open Rio Tinto Group's (NYSE: RTP) Pilbara railway to third parties could cost $30B if the idea is implemented, Rio contended and the Australian reported. The National Competition Commission, which advises Australian governments on infrastructure issues, has suggested that Fortescue Metals Group be given access to certain rail lines operated by Rio Tinto.

• A joint investigation by CBC News and the Canadian Press found one-third of people shot by Taser International Inc's (NASDAQ: TASR) Tasers reportedly required some medical attention, Engadget reported.
• TechCrunch confirmed that Joshua Schachter, the founder of delicious, will resign from Yahoo!. Sources believe the near-stalled development of the new version of delicious may have played a part in his resignation.

Here are a few highlights of this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) beat estimates on strong sales and higher profit margins.
• Baidu.com Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU) profit soared on strong revenue from online marketing.
• Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) earnings and revenue surged in the fourth quarer.
• Dean Foods Co. (NYSE: DF) missed expectations on rising commodity costs and lower profit margins.
• Deere & Co. (NYSE: DE) posted better-than-expected profits as rising grain prices spurred demand.
• Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (NYSE: GT) posted solid results on cost savings and debt reduction.
• Insight Enterprises Inc. (NASDAQ: NSIT) beat expectations and raised its guidance.
• LECG (NASDAQ: XPRT) posted a net loss despite a slight increase in revenue in the fourth quarter.
• Loews Corp. (NYSE: LTR) missed estimates due to profit decline in its CNA Financial (NYSE: CNA) affiliate.
• Marsh & McLennan Inc. (NYSE: MMC) missed estimates on weakness in its insurance services business.
• Playboy Enterprises Inc. (NYSE: PLA) posted disappointing results on weakness in publishing and TV.
• Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q) fourth-quarter and full-year results met estimates.
• Sierra Wireless Inc. (NASDAQ: SWIR) beat esimates on the launch of new product s.
• Taser International Inc. (NASDAQ: TASR) profits doubled, which was in line with expectations.
• Visteon Corp. (NYSE: VC) posted a fourth-quarter loss on restructuring costs and write-downs.
• Waste Management Inc. (NYSE: WMI) beat espectations and offered 2008 guidance.
• Wyndham Worldwide Corp. (NYSE: WYN) earnings met expectations and were buoyed by lodging revenue.
• Zoltek Companies Inc. (NASDAQ: ZOLT) missed earnings estimates due to inventory buildup.

Upcoming results to watch for include Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT), Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ), OfficeMax (NYSE: OMX), Whole Foods (NASDAQ: WFMI), MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM), JCPenney (NYSE: JCP), and Safeway (NYSE: SWY).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Merriman upgraded shares of Taser Int'l (NASDAQ: TASR) to Buy from Hold on valuation following the 25% decline in price since late July, accelerating law enforcement demand and upside potential from the recently launched personal TASER C2.

• Lehman upgraded shares of Motorola (NYSE: MOT) to Overweight from Equal Weight as they believe increased production and opex progress in Q3 could signal a turnaround at the company's phone unit.

• Jefferies upgraded Advantest (NYSE: ATE) to Hold from Underperform on valuation.

• STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) was upgraded to Market Perform from Underperform on valuation at Bernstein.

• Stifel upgraded shares of Joy Global (NASDAQ: JOYG) to Buy from Hold following the in line Q3 report as they believe bad news is reflected in valuation...

• Idacorp (NYSE: IDA) was upgraded to Market Perform from Under Perform at Wachovia.

• UBS upgraded TDK Corp (NYSE: TDK) to Neutral from Sell.

• Wedbush raised Big Lots (NYSE: BIG) to Buy from Hold, with a $35 target, and DSW Inc. (NYSE: DSW) to Hold from Sell, with a $29 target.

• LabCorp (NYSE: LH) was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Cowen.

Real world, futuristic technology plays can be had in the recently declared working partnership between Taser International (NASDAQ: TASR) and iRobot Corp. (NASDAQ: IRBT). The team is developing machines and equipment which could revolutionize the worlds of the military, security and law enforcement, all the while seeking to take real people (in their own bodies) out of harms way.

By forming this working alliance, Taser and iRobot have accomplished two very significant things. First, iRobot has deeply jammed their foot in the door of a market sector which will only grow larger. By taking advantage of the position already secured by Taser, iRobot has eliminated years of marketing work which would have been required to gain for themselves the same position. Second, by teaming with iRobot, Taser has fulfilled a grand desire to enhance product mobility and they have done it without the time and massive capital investment which would have been required to accomplish it alone.

If you're looking for a long-term technology play with relative safety, I'd say this working alliance provides a couple good ones and remember, you're hearing that from the biggest bear on the block. ;)

"Taser International (NASDAQ: TASR), a maker of stun-guns used for police work, corrections, and personal defense" is a new trade from technician Melvin Pasternak in The Swing Trader.

On a split-adjusted basis, the stock peaked in the mid-$30s in 2004. The advisor notes, "Dogged by bad publicity about its guns, it declined to just above $5 per share in October 2005." The shares then rallied to the $11 range in the spring of 2006, he points out, and have been trading in a broad range between $6 and $10 since that time.

However, in late May, he notes, TASR "blew through important resistance just above $10 on volume about double normal weekly levels." In addition, he says, "This past week, the stock added to its gains and probed key resistance just above $11 before retreating." Volume, he adds, was again very strong.

For the more technically-inclined, the advisor explains that the stock has broken a relative strength downtrend line, and that line is "convincingly above its own moving average for the first time in many months." In addition, he notes that the stock's MACD is on a buy signal. With the shares breaking out of a multi-month base, he believes they are posted to move higher.

To determine the possible upside, the tecnician looks at the stock's base, which he notes it $3 in height. He says, "According to the measuring principle, the stock should now reach about $13 per share."

For more stock picks from the leading financial newsletter advisors, visit Steven Halpern's free daily website, TheStockAdvisors.com.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Comcast Corp (NASDAQ: CMCSA) was upgraded at AG Edwards to Buy from Hold with a $33 objective, citing valuation.

• Gabelli raised Monster Worldwide's (NASDAQ: MNST) rating to Buy from Hold and sees an attractive long-term opportunity as near-term margin pressure issues are providing an opportunity.

• CIBC upgraded shares of Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) to Sector Performer from Underperformer to reflect solid Q3 results and an improved 2008 outlook. Citigroup raised Microsoft's rating to Buy from Hold after the quarterly report.

• UBS upgraded both XM Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: XMSR) to Buy from Neutral citing improving fundamentals and Sirius Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) to Buy from Neutral on better operational execution...

• Goldman upgraded NetGear, Inc (NASDAQ: NTGR) to Neutral from Sell.

• KLA-Tencor Corp (NASDAQ: KLAC) was raised to Neutral from Underperform at First Albany following positive Q3 results.

• Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc (NASDAQ: ALSK) was upgraded to Hold from Sell at Stifel following its first quarter report.

• RBC Capital raised Baidu.com, Inc (NASDAQ: BIDU) to Outperform from Sector Perform citing guidance that indicated a reacceleration of underlying fundamentals.

• JP Morgan added Taser International, Inc (NASDAQ: TASR) to its SMID Money List and will maintain its Outperform rating.

TASER International Inc. (NASDAQ: TASR) is no stranger to controversies. These days, police say it is concerned with Taser's latest consumer weapon, a $299 metallic pink, palm-sized C2 stun gun (no worries, it does come in three other cool colors including Black Pearl as well).

To recap, last time I wrote about Taser was in late February, when Taser reported fourth-quarter earnings that showed strong sales that boosted profits. Shares went up 5.5% consequently. Then Taser announced preliminary first quarter results that fell below analysts' expectations due to delayed orders. While investors punished the stock, taking it down 5%, some analysts remained positive on the company's base sales.

As for the C2, police say the consumer weapon is bound to fall into criminal hands and worry that officers will be injured by users who lack proper training. The Fraternal Order of Police, the largest law-enforcement labor union, has barred Taser from exhibiting the new C2 weapon or any other at its convention in August.

Seven states have already outlawed consumer use of stunning devices and three other states, including Texas are considering bills for bans or regulation of ownership.

Taser isn't worried. First, its main market is law-enforcement agencies rather than consumers. Second, there's always concern around a new product, the company says.

After a nice 5% run the past ten days, shares closed down 2.56% at $8.37 on Thursday. The stock remains of speculative nature. While many wrongful deaths lawsuits have been dismissed, lowering its risk, Taser does have rocky fundamentals. I still definitely like the long-term prospects, but it's only for those who can stomach it.

As a last comment, and in light of the Virginia Tech shooting, something eludes me here (probably because I'm Canadian). How is it that stunning devices seem to be more regulated than guns in the U.S.? Gun control - no, but stunning devices ban - yes?

Taser International Inc. (NASDAQ:TASR) today reported strong fourth quarter results, squeezing the short-sellers that have made the stun-gun maker one of their favorite targets.

Net income was $2.3 million, or 4 cents per share, compared with $179,126, or break even, a year earlier, the company said. Revenue soared 53 percent to $19.3 million. Analysts were expecting profit of 4 cents on revenue of $19.2 million, according to Thomson Financial My colleague Melly Alazraki gives a good overview of the history of this company's history here.

Taser has long been a favorite of short-sellers who hold about 11 million shares out of a float of 56.4 milllon, according to Bloomberg News. Shares of the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company, which are down about 17 percent over the past year, were up about 4 percent in trading today.

The company continues to attract law enforcement customers and is moving into the consumer market and introduced the C2 "personal protector" at last month's consumer electronics show in Las Vegas which comes in vibrant colors including pink. It begins shipping in the second quarter.

Also check out some other earnings reports that we're following, and let us know what you're expecting.