3 Stocks That Blew the Market Away

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Why settle for ordinary quarterly reports?

I take a look at three companies that beat market expectations every week, since I believe that it's the biggest factor in a stock beating the market. Leaving Wall Street's pros with puzzled looks on their faces can be a good thing. It usually means that the companies have more in the tank than analysts figured. Capital appreciation often follows.

Let's take a look at a few companies that humbled the prognosticators over the past few trading days.

We can start with Akamai (Nasdaq: AKAM). The leading content-delivery network -- providing speedy and secure Web content to end users -- rang up an adjusted profit of $0.38 a share. On that same non-GAAP basis, analysts were braced for earnings of $0.35 a share.

Digital delivery is a cutthroat business, as Akamai fends off the smaller Limelight Networks (Nasdaq: LLNW) and Level 3 (Nasdaq: LVLT). Akamai did earn a bit more a year ago. However, it's still the top dog in a sector that will clearly matter even more as more companies rely on Web-based solutions.

First Solar (Nasdaq: FSLR) was another bright spot, earning $1.79 a share in its latest quarter. Solar subsidies in Germany helped fuel orders for the company, which earned just $1.20 a share a year earlier. Wall Street was banking on net income of $1.74 a share.

Finally, we have O'Reilly Automotive (Nasdaq: ORLY) driving higher. The auto parts chain's quarterly profit sped up to $0.63 a share. Well-traveled pros figured that O'Reilly would only be good for earnings of $0.56 a share. Cash-strapped auto owners are holding onto their cars longer, which has been good news for the auto parts industry that thrives when drivers maintain their older vehicles. O'Reilly, AutoZone (NYSE: AZO), and Pep Boys (NYSE: PBY) have been surpassing estimates all year long.

Keep watching the companies that surpass 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 30-day trial subscription.

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