Don't 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 stunned expressions can be a good thing. It usually means that the companies have more in the tank than analysts figured. Capital appreciation typically follows.
Let's take a look at a few companies that humbled the prognosticators over the past few trading days.
We can start with Google
The world's leading search engine surprised investors by posting an adjusted profit of $8.74 a share. Analysts apparently had the right numbers but in the wrong order, with their $7.84 consensus estimate.
Google's strength was enough to send regional search leaders higher on Friday. Shares of China's Baidu
Yum! Brands
Stronger investment-banking revenue and a welcome dip in loan-loss reserves helped guide Citigroup
It's important to keep watching the companies that surpass expectations. Over time, it will be a lucrative experience for investors as the market rewards the overachievers. That's the kind of surprise that 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.