Every week, I take a look at a few companies that lapped their profit targets. Leaving Wall Street's pros with quizzical looks on their faces can be a good thing. It usually means that the companies have more in the tank than analysts figured and capital appreciation often follows.

Let's take a look at a few companies that humbled the prognosticators this past week.

We'll start with Dollar General (NYSE:DG). The five-and-dime retailer posted a 27% dip in quarterly profits to $0.11 per share. That may not sound too encouraging, but in an environment where other thrifty retailers like Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) have a tough time turning a buck, Dollar General's showing was actually much better than the $0.08 per share that Wall Street was banking on.

Nice shoes, DSW (NYSE:DSW). The chain of femme footwear superstores grew earnings to $0.54 a share. That is a healthy improvement over both last year's $0.40 per share and the $0.47 a share that analysts were sized up for. It's an impressive feat, since sales and comps actually clocked in lower at the retailer.

Showing that there is more meat than sawdust in sausage these days, Bob Evans (NASDAQ:BOBE) was another topper. The comfort food specialist recorded a profit of $0.42 a share, comfortably ahead of the $0.37 per share that the pros were projecting.

Producing market-thumping results isn't easy, especially in a casual dining sector that lately has seen former darlings like Applebee's (NASDAQ:APPB) and Brinker (NYSE:EAT) struggle.

So, keep watching the companies that lap expectations. Over time, it will be a rewarding experience for investors as the market rewards the overachievers. That's the kind of surprise we look for in the Rule Breakers newsletter service. Want in? Check out a 30-day trial subscription.

Either way, come back next Monday to learn about more stocks that blew the market away.

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Longtime Fool contributor Rick Munarriz is a fan of toppers. He does not own shares in any of the companies in this story. He is also part of the Rule Breakers newsletter research team, seeking out tomorrow's ultimate growth stocks a day early. The Fool has a disclosure policy.