Why settle for ordinary quarterly reports?

I take a look at three companies that beat market expectations every week, since I believe that'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 Disney (NYSE:DIS). The family entertainment giant made Wall Street look Goofy by scoring a quarterly profit of $0.43 per share on Tuesday, before charges. Analysts were expecting earnings to clock in at only $0.40 per share.

It wasn't a pretty quarter. Operating profits fell in all five of the company's businesses. Net income took a 26% hit. However, Mr. Market was braced for the worst given the company's economy-sensitive operations. After all, regional amusement park operator Cedar Fair (NYSE:FUN) posted a widening quarterly loss last week, though Disney's parks aren't as seasonal. Fellow cruise ship operator Royal Caribbean (NYSE:RCL) posted a quarterly deficit last month. In short, Disney isn't supposed to be growing its profitability in this climate. It's good to see the company hold up better than analysts projected.

IMAX (NASDAQ:IMAX) is another topper. The cinematic enhancer delivered a loss of $0.06 per share in the first quarter. Yes, that's red ink, but it's less than the $0.25-per-share shortfall it posted a year ago or the $0.08-per-share deficit that investors were braced for this time around.

Finally, we have Blue Nile (NASDAQ:NILE) saying "I do" to investors. The upscale jeweler with a penchant for diamond engagement rings earned $0.13 per share in its first quarter, comfortably ahead of the $0.10-per-share target that the pros had carved out.

On the cheaper end of the jewelry pricing spectrum, Bidz.com (NASDAQ:BIDZ) also recently beat out guesstimates, but it's the luxury end of the jewelry market that is a refreshing surprise here. Folks aren't exactly shying away form big-ticket items. 

So, 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 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.