Every week, I take a look at a few companies that surpassed 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 can start with Best Buy (NYSE:BBY). The consumer electronics retailer earned $1.61 a share before charges during its holiday quarter, comfortably ahead of the $1.40-a-share profit that analysts were projecting. Things may get easier for Best Buy now that rival Circuit City liquidated for good a few weeks ago. That's also welcome news for smaller chains like Conn's (NASDAQ:CONN) and hhgregg (NYSE:HGG).

CKE Restaurants (NYSE:CKR) is another topper. The company behind the Carl's Jr. and Hardee's burger chains earned $0.05 a share in its latest quarter. Wall Street was expecting net income of only $0.03 a share. Sure, it's easy to expect fast-food concepts to thrive in this penny-pinching environment, but the victories aren't universal. Rival Sonic (NASDAQ:SONC) missed its profit target two days earlier.  

Finally we have Carnival (NYSE:CCL) sailing higher. The leading cruise ship operator scored a profit of $0.33 a share this past quarter, ahead of both the $0.30 a share it earned a year ago and the $0.19 a share that investors were banking on. It's a refreshing showing for the industry, since Royal Caribbean (NYSE:RCL) came up short earlier this year.

Keep watching the companies that exceed 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 Motley Fool Rule Breakers newsletter service. Want in? Check out a free 30-day trial subscription.

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