quarterly earnings report

Earnings season has officially kicked into high gear: 39 companies have reported so far, with the S&P reporting an earnings per share surprise of 6.8%. The best results include increases in financials, consumer discretionary, and materials. Here are some highlights.

The world's second-largest home improvement retailer reported that its earnings rose 17% in the third quarter. While the profit beat analysts' estimates, sales came in lower than expectations.

Two of the largest publishing houses have demonstrated again that when authors like Stephenie Meyer or Stieg Larsson become big phenomenons, big sales -- and big profits -- are the result.

After a fairly quiet Monday, the crunch of quarterly reports resumes Tuesday, with reports expected from Coach, MasterCard, Molson Coors and Pfizer. Here's what to watch.

Sony reported on Thursday that it swung back to profit in its first quarter on strong sales of television, computers and PlayStations. The company also raised its full-year earnings forecast. The electronics giant earned a net profit $294 million for the quarter.