Earnings growth for the reporting retailers is up too, by 11.8%. Excluding Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) due to its size, Retail Metrics reckons that its 120 retailers will show profit growth of 12.2% in the first quarter. Including Walmart, profits will rise 13.8%.

The best profit growth is expected in the recreational sector, with Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. (NYSE: DKS) and Hibbett Sports Inc. (NASDAQ: HIBB) leading the way a 40%+ earnings gain. Home furnishing retailers are expected to post 40% gains, led by Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBY) and Williams-Sonoma Inc. (NYSE: WSM). Footwear retailers are tabbed to grow profits 31%, following huge gains at Brown Shoe Co. (NYSE: BWS) and Footlocker Inc. (NYSE: FL).

The worst performing sector is projected to be consumer electronics, with teen apparel stores the only other retailing sector expected to post overall losses. Best Buy Co. Inc. (NYSE: BBY) and GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME) are the big players here. Teen apparel retailers like Wet Seal Inc. (NASDAQ: WTSLA), Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS), and Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) have struggled with same-store sales and revenues, as well as earnings.

Paul Ausick

The unofficial closing bells put the DJIA down about 2 points to 12,502.66 (-0.01%), the NASDAQ fell about 8 points (-.029%) to 2,839.08, and the S&P 500 rose 0.05% or less than 1 point to 1,316.63.

There were several analyst upgrades and downgrades today, including Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) raised to ‘buy’ at Lazard Capital; DryShips Inc. (NASDAQ: DRYS) started as ‘buy’ at Global Hunter; Domino’s Pizza Inc. (NYSE: DPZ) reiterated as ‘buy’ with a target price of $46 at Argus; LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE: LYB) started as ‘outperform’ with a target price of $60 at Credit Suisse; and Tesla Motors Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) started as ‘buy’ at Maxim Group.

Earnings reports since markets closed last night have led to some price changes as of the last half hour of trading today: Autozone Inc. (NYSE: AZO) is down -1.67% at $362.40; Best Buy Co. Inc. (NYSE: BBY) is up 1.3% at $18.41 (more coverage here); Ralph Lauren Corp. (NYSE: RL) is up 3.4% at $151.24 (more coverage here); Williams Sonoma Inc. (NYSE: WSM) is up 3.4% at $35.90; and Express Inc. (NYSE: EXPR) is down -26.9% at $16.88.

Tomorrow we are scheduled to get earnings reports from American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (NYSE: AEO), Big Lots Inc. (NYSE: BIG), Hormel Foods Corp. (NYSE: HRL), NetApp Inc. (NASDAQ: NTAP), Pandora Media Inc. (NYSE: P), Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. (NYSE: STP), and Trina Solar Ltd. (NYSE: TSL).

Other standouts from today include the following stocks:

Patriot Coal Corp. (NYSE: PCX) is down nearly -40% at $2.22 after posting a new 52-week low of $1.36 earlier today. The coal miner was reported to be interviewing firms to help with a restructuring. Patriot issued a non-denial denial later to stem the bleeding. More coverage here and here.

Benihana Inc. (NASDAQ: BNHN) is up 21.3% at $16.13. The restaurateur is being acquired for $296 million.

Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ: FB) is down -8.6%% at $31.12 after posting a new low of $30.98 earlier today. Shares are getting pummeled again today. We’ve started a deathwatch here and here. Just search for ‘facebook deathwatch’ to get the latest dope.

Stay tuned for Wednesday. Minneapolis Fed President Naryana Kocherlakota is giving a speech. We have also noted the following events on the schedule (all times Eastern):

7:00 a.m. – Mortgage Bankers Association purchase applications
10:00 a.m. – New home sales
10:00 a.m. – FHFA house price index
10:30 a.m. – EIA weekly petroleum status report
1:00 p.m. – 5-year note auction

Paul Ausick

The unofficial closing bells put the DJIA up more than 134 points to 12,503.87 (1.09%), the NASDAQ rose nearly 68 points (2.46%) to 2,847.21, and the S&P 500 rose 1.60% or nearly 21 points to 1,316.00.

There were several analyst upgrades and downgrades today, including Avon Products Inc. (NYSE: AVP) cut to ‘sell’ at UBS; Petrobras (NYSE: PBR) raised to ‘buy’ at SocGen; Safeway Inc. (NYSE: SWY) raised to ‘buy’ at Citigroup; Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) raised to ‘buy’ at Argus; and Best Buy Co. Inc. (NYSE: BBY) cut to ‘hold’ at BB&T.

Earnings reports since markets closed on Friday have led to some price changes as of the last half hour of trading today: Campbell Soup Co. (NYSE: CPB) is down -2.1% at $32.71; Hastings Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ: HAST) is up 15.2% at $2.05; Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. (NYSE: KKD) is up 12.3% at $6.75; Lowe’s Companies Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is down -10.1% at $25.60 (more coverage here); Tech Data Corp. (NASDAQ: TECD) is up 0.7% at $47.78; and Tudou Holdings Ltd. (NASDAQ: TUDO) is up 11.3% at $33.37.

Tomorrow we are scheduled to get earnings reports from Autozone Inc. (NYSE: AZO), Best Buy, Guess? Inc. (NYSE: GES), Ralph Lauren Corp. (NYSE: RL), Williams Sonoma Inc. (NYSE: WSM), and Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

Other standouts from today include the following stocks:

Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ: FB) is down -11% at $34.03. Following Friday’s massively-hyped IPO and the CEO’s weekend wedding, a falling share price was probably inevitable. More coverage here.

Cooper Industries plc (NYSE: CBE) is up 25.2% at $69.96 after posting a new 52-week high this morning of $70.97. The company is being acquired by Eaton Corp. (NYSE: ETN) for $11.8 billion. More coverage here.

Westport Innovations Inc. (NASDAQ: WPRT) is up 12% at $26.57. The natural gas engine maker has a deal with Volvo for a new truck engine.

Stay tuned for Tuesday. Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart is giving a speech. We have also noted the following events on the schedule (all times Eastern):

10:00 a.m. – Existing home sales
10:00 a.m. – Richmond Fed manufacturing index
11:30 a.m. – 4-week bill auction
1:00 p.m. – 2-year note auction

Paul Ausick

Pandora Media Inc. (NYSE: P) reports after the close on Tuesday and investors are still trying to get a better grasp on its business model as far as how it will make money.  The company surprised before.  Estimates are -$0.02 EPS on just over $83 million in sales and the market value is $2.2 billion.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7

American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (NYSE: AEO) has estimates of $0.35 EPS and $1.05 billion in sales. With where its stock is around $14.50, this looks fairly valued so it will likely take good news or bad news to move the stock.

Children’s Place Retail Stores Inc. (NASDAQ: PLCE) has estimates of $0.91 EPS on just over $478.1 million in sales.

H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) is expected to report $0.05 EPS and $700 million sales, but next quarter is the tax-season money quarter.  Next quarter targets are $2.24 EPS on $2.11 billion in sales.  To emphasize how much the tax season matters, the entire fiscal year-end of April 2012 is expected to be $3.01 billion.

Hovnanian Enterprises Inc. (NYSE: HOV) is expected to report -$0.47 EPS and $287.66 million in sales.

THURSDAY, MARCH 8

A123 Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: AONE) failed to rally on Tuesday’s construction news.  Estimates are -$0.51 EPS on almost $48.5 million in revenues.  Shares are well under $2.00 now.

Altera Corporation (NASDAQ: ALTR) is a ‘business update’ rather than a formal earnings release.  Estimates are $0.37 EPS and $426.8 million in sales.

Anheuser Busch Inbev SA (NYSE: BUD) has estimates of $0.91 EPS and $9.9 billion in sales.  We would remind investors that this is now translated from Euros now that this is not a U.S.-based company.

Renren Inc. (NYSE: RENN) is still down and out from its 2011 IPO but it is still very actively traded as a Facebook knock-off in China.  Renren is expected to report earnings of $0.02 EPS and almost $32.3 million in sales. Next quarter estimates are -$0.04 EPS on almost $30.9 million in sales.

Smithfield Foods Inc. (NYSE: SFD) is expected to report earnings of $0.66 EPS and $3.5 billion in sales.

Williams Sonoma Inc. (NYSE: WSM) is expected to report earnings of $1.13 EPS and $1.25 billion in sales.  Shares are down almost 15% from the 52-week high and the shares are still close to the consensus price target of $39.57.

Keep in mind on any of these companies that dates and estimates can change without notice.

JON C. OGG

We have broken these out by day and included Thomson Reuters consensus data on each.  Color has been added on some of the names as well.

MONDAY, MARCH 5

Focus Media Holding Ltd. (NASDAQ: FMCN) has already recovered handily from when alleged accounting woes were surrounding this company.  This is the outdoor advertiser in China.  Estimates are $0.61 EPS and $225.1 million in sales.

Teavana Holdings Inc. (NYSE: TEA) remains a premium company with great products and growth, but at a price for a small tea retail empire trading at close to 40-times next year’s expected earnings.  Estimates are $0.32 EPS on $67.8 million in sales.

Urban Outfitters Inc (NASDAQ: URBN) has recovered off of its lows but the company remains an early turnaround story.  The real question is what the growth opportunities are for the next decade compared to the growth of the last decade.  Earnings estimates are $0.20 EPS on $742.9 million in sales.

VeriFone Systems Inc. (NYSE: PAY) has estimates of $0.52 EPS on about $417.5 million in sales.

TUESDAY, MARCH 6

Pandora Media Inc. (NYSE: P) remains in limbo and investors are still trying to get a better grasp on its business model as far as how it will make money.  The company surprised before.  Estimates are -$0.02 EPS on almost $83 million in sales and the market value is $2.2 billion.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7

American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (NYSE: AEO) has estimates of $0.35 EPS and $1.05 billion in sales.

Children’s Place Retail Stores Inc. (NASDAQ: PLCE) has estimates of $0.89 EPS on just over $478 million in sales.

H and R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) is expected to report $0.05 EPS and $700 million sales, but next quarter is the tax-season money quarter and the estimates are currently $2.24 EPS on $2.11 billion in sales.  To emphasize how much the tax season matters, the entire fiscal year-end of April 2012 is expected to be $3.01 billion.

Hovnanian Enterprises Inc. (NYSE: HOV) is expected to report -$0.47 EPS and $287.6 million in sales.  While this is a homebuilder and while it has been widely followed before, this is probably not going to be a sector-mover for homebuilders.

THURSDAY, MARCH 8

A123 Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: AONE) is challenged with shares now down under $2.00 and a weak performance late in the week.  Estimates are -$0.41 EPS on almost $53.7 million in revenues.  It seems sad that lithium-ion batteries are not doing well and around $1.80 it has a 52-week range of $1.51 to $8.70.

Altera Corporation (NASDAQ: ALTR) is a ‘business update’ rather than a formal earnings release but investors will be watching its guidance.  Estimates are $0.37 EPS and $426.8 million in sales.

Anheuser Busch Inbev SA (NYSE: BUD) has estimates of $0.91 EPS and $9.9 billion in sales, but keep in mind that this is now translated from Euros now that this is not a U.S.-based company.

Renren Inc. (NYSE: RENN) is down massively from its 2011 IPO but it is still very actively traded as a Facebook knock-off in China.  Renren is expected to report earnings of $0.02 EPS and $32.3 million in sales.

Smithfield Foods Inc. (NYSE: SFD) is expected to report earnings of $0.67 EPS and $3.5 billion in sales.

Williams Sonoma Inc. (NYSE: WSM) is expected to report earnings of $1.13 EPS and $1.25 billion in sales.  Shares are down almost 15% from the 52-week high and the shares are still close to the consensus price target of $39.43.

Keep in mind on any of these companies that dates and estimates can change without notice.

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Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) was the surprise warnings in the oil and gas sector, sending shares down 2.6% at $104.91.

Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE: EK) was down after a highlighted Moody’s note signals that even with a patent deal the company could run out of cash in the middle of 2012. Shares were down 18% at $0.66 late in the day.

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) fluctuated all day ahead of Friday’s earnings report, where we believe many will try to look at book value and other metrics to try to justify the massive gains in the banking sector since the end of 2011. Shares were up $0.03 at $36.69 a few minutes before the closing bell.

Earnings warnings took a bite, as much as double-digit percentage bites, ou of the following stocks: Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM), Infosys Ltd. (NASDAQ: INFY), Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation (NASDAQ: BGFV).

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) managed to hold up a day after management gave a cautious PC market outlook.  In analyst calls, it was maintained Outperform but cut target to $34 from $35 at Credit Suisse and it was maintained Hold and lowered estimates at Argus.

Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) was up 1.4% at $49.73 right before the close on news of a news and expanded $5 billion share buyback plan.

Stay tuned for Friday, particularly since this will be Friday the 13th!  Here are Friday’s economic reports to watch:

• 8:30 AM NOV Trade Balance
• 8:30 AM DEC Import & Export Prices
• 9:50 AM JAN Univ. Michigan Sentiment (preliminary)

JON C. OGG

After the first half hour of trading, Dick’s Sporting Goods is up more than 9% at $39.83. Volume is already more than double the daily average. Volume has already double the daily average. The sporting goods retailer reported lagging sales, but offset that with a new $200 million share buyback program.

Tractor Supply is up more than 7.5% at $78.42, after posting a new 52-week high of $80.11. Volume has already surpassed the daily average. The farm and ranch retailer reported better-than-expected earnings last night and raised 2011 EPS guidance.

Sanderson Farms is up more than 6% at $50.33. Volume is heavy, at about 70% of the daily average already trading hands. The poultry producer is likely getting a boost from the latest federal report on crop prices, especially corn, which is expected to be both abundant and cheaper.

Williams-Sonoma is down nearly -13% at $34.02. Volume is already 4x the daily average. The home furnishings company cut its sales guidance and announced a new stock repurchase program this morning.

Infosys is down nearly -9% at $51.76. Volume is already 3x the daily average. The India-based business outsourcing company missed the consensus estimate for fourth-quarter EPS.

Paul Ausick

We have covered this in more detailed summaries below, but the following included the top stock upgrades, downgrades, and initiations seen in this last week: Altria Group Inc. (NYSE: MO); Angie’s List, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANGI); Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL); CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT); Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS); Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR); Huntsman Corporation (NYSE: HUN); Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. (NYSE: KKD); Lululemon Athletica Inc. (NASDAQ: LULU); Nokia Corporation (NYSE: NOK); Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD); Urban Outfitters Inc. (NASDAQ: URBN); Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ); Williams-Sonoma Inc. (NYSE: WSM); and Zhongpin, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOGS).

We have given a summary and notes on each below.

Altria Group Inc. (NYSE: MO) could be in for a 15% drop now that shares became overvalued per the Barron’s cover story to kick off 2012 and Davenport downgraded the stock also.

Angie’s List, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANGI) had a rough week after its quiet period ended from its late 2011 IPO.  The stock closed out 2011 at $16.10 and ended the week down at $13.23 for a loss of about 18%.  Analyst initiation summary as follows:

• Neutral with $18 target at BofA/ML;
• Sector Perform with $17 target at RBC;
• Perform with $16 target at Oppenheimer;
• Buy with $22 target at ThinkEquity;
• Buy with $21 target at Stifel Nicolaus;
• Buy with $19 target at Janney Capital Markets.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) may have just been a reiterated call, but this was the $560 price target call from Canaccord Genuity. Apple’s price target was also lowered to $513 from $530 at Morgan Keegan.

CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) was noted as a “if, then” possible takeover candidate in a SunTrust Robinson Humphrey call this week that is frankly hard to agree with.

Read Also: The 24/7 Wall St. 2012 Model Dividend Portfolio

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) was among the banking sector downgrades this week, although shares still managed to close on a positive note if you just compare the price to the prior Friday.  Meredith Whitney, Wells Fargo, and Credit Suisse all gave negative calls with downgrades or lower sales and earnings.

The unofficial closing bells put the DJIA up nearly 180 points to 12.397.46 (1.47%), the NASDAQ rose more than 43 points (1.67%) to 2,648.72, and the S&P 500 rose 1.55% or more than 19 points to 1,277.05.

There were several analyst upgrades and downgrades today, including Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) had its target price lowered to $513 at Morgan Keegan; General Growth Properties Inc. (NYSE: GGP) cut from ‘outperform’ to ‘neutral’ at Credit Suisse; Under Armour Inc. (NYSE: UA) raised to ‘outperform’ with a target price of $90 at Baird; Prologis Inc. (NYSE: PLD) started as ‘outperform’ at Wells Fargo; Akamai Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: AKAM) cut from ‘buy’ to ‘neutral’ at Janney Capital Markets; and Williams-Sonoma Inc. (NYSE: WSM) cut to ‘sell’ at Janney.

There were no earnings reports of note scheduled today. Progress Software Corp. (NASDAQ: PRGS) is scheduled to report earnings at 4:30 p.m. today.

Orchard Supply Hardware Stores Corp. (NASDAQ: OSH) completed an IPO today. Shares were initially priced at $25 and rose as high as $60 during the day before settling to $27.05, up more than 8% with less than half an hour of trading time left.

Other standouts from today include the following stocks:

Aveo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: AVEO) is down more than -19% at $13.90. The pharmaceutical maker reported that its liver cancer drug performed better than a competitor in late-stage trials, but investors were expecting a larger improvement.

Kior Corp. (NASDAQ: KIOR) is down more than -10% at $9.12. The alternative fuel maker had no news, but is likely getting bashed on the expiration of US ethanol subsidies.

Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (AMEX: ASM) is up nearly 17% at $1.66. The junior miner is riding the coattails of an overall upsurge in materials stocks today, which have been leading the markets higher all day.

A123 Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: AONE) is up more than 24% at $2.00. The battery maker is a partner with Satcon Technology Corp. (NASDAQ: SATC) in a demonstration project on micro-grid energy storage for the US Department of Defense.

American Realty Investors Inc. (NYSE: ARL) is up more than 12% at $2.10. The real estate investment company has no news, but continues to rise on upbeat news about the housing market.

Stay tuned for Wednesday. Automakers are scheduled to release sales data throughout the day. US seasonally adjusted annual sales are expected to remain at 13.6 million cars and light trucks. Here are the noteworthy events on the schedule (all times Eastern):

• 7:00 a.m. – Mortgage Bankers Association purchase applications
• 10:00 a.m. – Factory orders report for November (consensus estimate for gain of 2%)
• 11:30 a.m. – 4-week Treasury bill auction

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Akamai Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKAM) Cut to Neutral from Buy at Janney Capital Markets. 
Angie’s List, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANGI) Started as Buy at Stifel Nicolaus; Started as Perform at Oppenheimer; Started as Buy at Janney Capital Markets.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) lowered price target to $513 from $530 at Morgan Keegan.
Cooper Industries plc (NYSE: CBE) Cut to Neutral from Outperform at Credit Suisse.
Fusion-io, Inc. (NYSE: FIO) Raised to Overweight at Morgan Stanley.
General Growth Properties Inc. (NYSE: GGP) Cut to Neutral from Outperform at Credit Suisse.
Guess?, Inc. (NYSE: GES) Cut to Underperform from Neutral as Bear of the Day at Zacks Investment Research.
Petroleum Development Corporation (NASDAQ: PETD) Cut to Hold at Canaccord Genuity.
PMC-Sierra Inc. (NASDAQ: PMCS) Cut to Neutral with $6 target at Goldman Sachs.
Prologis, Inc. (NYSE: PLD) Started as Outperform at Wells Fargo.
Regency Centers Corporation (NYSE: REG) Cut to Neutral from Outperform at Credit Suisse.
Reliance Steel & Aluminum Company (NYSE: RS) named as value stock of the day at Zacks Investment Research.
Under Armour, Inc. (NYSE: UA) Raised to Outperform with $90 target at Baird.
Universal Display Corporation (NASDAQ: PANL) maintained Hold and lowered estimates and target to $35 at Canaccord Genuity.
Ventas, Inc. (NYSE: VTR) Raised to Long-Term Outperform and named as the Bull of the Day at Zacks Investment Research.
Williams-Sonoma Inc. (NYSE: WSM) Cut to Sell at Janney Capital Markets.

Read Also: DJIA Stocks Now Expected To Rise 12% in 2012

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JON C. OGG