Lots of notable earnings after the bell today.  I’m going to organize these posts a bit differently by categorizing by total rank (the ranking is a proprietary rank of SelfInvestors.com which combines a fundamental and technical score, for information on the ranking and the SelfInvestors.com database, please see this page.) 

Rank (52/60)

Carters Inc (CRI), an apparel retailer of baby and young children’s apparel is the highest ranking stock in the database to report after the bell today.  The company reported net income of .18/share, badly missing analyst estimates of .24/share.  However, excluding charges associated with the closing of two sewing facilities in Mexico, the company’s net income comes in at .29/share, which would be good for a 48% increase over the year ago quarter.  Net sales increased 23% from the year ago quarter.  Technically, the stock is well extended past the breakout that occurred in january.  A drop to support of the 50 day moving average at around 53 may offer a chance to initiate a small position or add to an existing position.  The stock closed down just a bit today at 57.10. 

Rank (50/60)

  Cascade Microtech (CSCD), a designer, developer and manufacturer for electrical and test equipment for integrated circuits, went public in December of last year and is looking for a successful breakout after carving the first base of its existence.  It may have to wait.  Although the stock broke out yesterday, the company didn’t report outstanding earnings after the bell today.  Excluding settlement income of .05/share, the company reported .14/share, which was in line with analyst estimates.  However, it also looks like the company is indicating that results will be a bit less than estimates for the 3rd quarter.  The stock is down nearly 10% in after hours trading to 14.55.  The stock still has support of the 50 day moving at 14 ..   Technically, the best looking base… base too steep and severe.  Resistance at all time highs of 16.  I wouldn’t be buying this on a breakout to all time highs.  A base that sharp needs much more time to consoldidate.

Corporate Executive Board (EXBD) reported another strong quarter after the bell today as revenue increased 30% and earnings 28% from the year ago quarters.  Earnings per share of .41/share beat estimates of .39/share.  This is a remarkably consistent company that seems to grow 30% every year without fail.  While quite extended from a proper buy point, the stock looks very strong technically and looks poised to move higher from this latest consolidation before earnings. 

• Portfolio Recovery Associates (PRAA): Another highly rated company in the business of managing portfolios of defaulted customer receivables, Portfolio Recovery just continues to post oustanding results year after year, quarter after quarter.  The company reported earnings of .56/share after the bell which was in line with estimates and good for a 34% increase from the year ago period.  Revenue rose 28%.  Technically, the stock looks pretty good and currently sits just above all time highs after carving out a base on base pattern (consecutive bases, one of top of the other).  Personally, I’d like to see a consolidation to support of the 50 day moving average, which might provide a nice buy opportunity.

Rank (49/50)

BLOW OUT EARNINGS! Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) is a very interesting company that makes an advanced, precicion control, 3D robotic system aiding doctors in varioius surgeries.  Sales and earnings have absolutely exploded in the last year and half as the company gains FDA approval for more procedures with the system.  Technically, the stock is looking to break out of a nearly 6 month consolidation…. and it looks like it will have no problem doing that tomorrow morning.  The company has reported blow out earnings after the bell, smashing estimates of .19/share by reporting .40 share, good for a 186% increase over the year ago period.  Revenues rose 70%.  The stock is bolting after hours more than 20% higher.

• PSS World Medical (PSSI): A specialty marketer and distributor of medical products, equipment and pharma related products to to healthcare providers, PSS has been increasing revenue and earning in the last couple years (although revenue growth has not been all that impressive, never surpassing 20% in a quarter).  Technically, it looks very strong and is currently at a 6 year high after breaking out last week.  The company beat estimates after hours, but the stock is slipping, down nearly 5%.
• Lifeline Systems (LIFE): Lifeline, a leading provider of personal response services for the elderly is a company that has increased earnings every year since 1999 with consistent yearly growth of around 20%.  However, revenue growth is never outstanding and has not cleared 15% growth in any quarter in the last 2 years… until now!  The company reported a revenue increase of 17% from the year ago quarter and an earnings increase of 31%.  Down just a bit after hours.  Technically, the stock sits below the 50 day moving average and is in the middle of carving out a shallow base.
• Akama Technologies (AKAM): A provider of products and services that deliver web content, Akamai delivered great results and met analyst estimates by reporting .11/share and beat revenue estimates by about 2 million.  That translates to a 120% increase in earnings from the year ago period and a 27% increase in revenue, nearly matching the growth of last quarter.  The company enjoyed the first profitable year in its history in ’04 and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.  Technically, the stock has improved greatly in the past couple months and looks poised to break out in the right side of a base that began nearly two years ago.

Rank (48/50)

CH Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) – blows past estimates, up nearly 4% after hours.
Kyphon (KYPH) – reports in line, raises ’05 guidance, little change after hours
Philadelphia Consolidated (PHLY) – blows past estimates, little change after hours

Rank 47/50

L3 Communications (LLL) – beats estimates by .02/share, no change after hours
Hydril (HYDL) – beats estimates by .05, no after hour change to report
Select Comfort (SCSS) – beats by .02/share, up nearly 10% after hours
VCA Antech (WOOF) – beats by a penny, up a hair after hours
Forward Air (FWRD) – beats by .02, but misses revenue est., no change to report after hours

Rank 46/50

Trimble Navigation (TRMB) – beats estimates but getting hammered after hours – down 14% Allscripts Health (MDRX) – reports in line, down 2% after hours
Bright Horizons Family (BFAM) – beats by .02/share, down a bit after hours