Every week, I take a look at a few companies that pummeled 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 AutoZone (NYSE: AZO). The auto-parts retailer posted a profit of $4.12 a share, well ahead of even the $3.70 a share that Wall Street had most recently targeted after raising its estimates a few pennies over the past week. AutoZone is not alone; the entire auto-parts market is burning rubber. 

Rivals Advance Auto Parts (NYSE: AAP) and O'Reilly Automotive (Nasdaq: ORLY) have also sped past the pros in their most recent quarters. This race hasn't even been close. The three retailers wound up earning 11% to 19% more than the market was expecting.

Medtronic (NYSE: MDT) also proved healthy in its annual checkup. The medical-products maker earned $0.90 a share, benefiting from a defibrillator recall at rival Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX). The pros were banking on a profit of $0.88 a share.

Finally, we have NetApp (Nasdaq: NTAP). Shares of the data-storage specialist soared almost 18% on Thursday, after its adjusted quarterly profit jumped almost 80% to $0.50 a share. Analysts had set their sights on net income of $0.44 a share.

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.