Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage on BloggingStocks:

• Aflac Inc. (AFL) higher Q1 earnings were better than analysts expected, due in part to a stronger yen.
• Automatic Data Processing Inc. (ADP) Q3 EPS were the same as a year ago and revenue inched higher.
• BlackRock Inc. (BLK) higher Q1 earnings fell short of analysts' expectations due to acquisition-related charges.
• Broadcom Corp. (BRCM) posted record revenue in Q1 and swung to a profit from a year-ago loss.
• Burger King Holdings Inc. (BKC) topped Wall Street's Q3 earnings estimate, but same-store sales fell.

Akron-based Goodyear Tire & Rubber (GT) announced that its first-quarter loss was "significantly smaller" than last year's first-quarter loss. The smaller loss was realized despite a one-time charge stemming from currency devaluation in Venezuela.

Goodyear's president and CEO Richard J. Kramer noted that the company is "very pleased with our strong first quarter [sic] performance," adding that the company believes it is "starting to see the benefits of the strategic actions [it] took last year, including [the] commitment to launch innovative new products during an economic downturn." Kramer attributes the company's gains in both sales and earnings to these strategic actions.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage on BloggingStocks:

• Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF) lower Q4 earnings topped estimates and same-store sales also declined.
• Campbell Soup Co. (CPB) reaffirmed its earnings outlook but lowered its revenue forecast for the full year.
• Daimler AG (DAI) provided guidance for the year that included slashing its dividend, sending shares lower.
• Dell Inc. (DELL) lower Q4 earnings beat estimates by a penny but it didn't offer guidance, sending shares lower.
• Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (GT) easily topped Q4 earnings estimates and revenue increased as well.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber (GT) beat the projections on Wall Street this week by a comfortable margin. The call was for a loss of 9 cents per share in the fourth quarter. Would you believe that, on an adjusted basis, Goodyear actually delivered a profit? A profit of 14 cents per share?

You can check out a summary of the release at DailyFinance. Yeah, it appears as if the analysts were a little bit off this reporting period. Then again, I wouldn't blame them for being pessimistic. Back in October, all indicators pointed to a tough Q4 for the company. The stock was hammered at the time.

The stock of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (GT), which I first wrote about on May 5, 2009, at a price of $13.30, has given back most of the gains registered in 2009, but I still like the company's business model and prospects, for several reasons.

First and foremost, it appears the long auto sector depression in the U.S. is over: miles driven fell substantially in 2009, due to fewer drivers and consumer belt-tightening. Further, while no one should expect 1960s-style suburban traffic growth, last year's negative mileage pattern is unlikely to be repeated in 2010.

The North American International Auto Show, commonly called the Detroit Auto Show, is set to launch 2010 with some exciting automobiles. Held Jan. 11-24, in Detroit's Cobo Center, the show kicks off with 60 new premieres and over 700 vehicles on display. (Also see our coverage of auto stocks to buy now).

Here are some highlights from last week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Aetna Inc. (NYSE: AET) reported better-than-expected Q3 earnings and revenue, sending shares higher.
• Allergan Inc. (NYSE: AGN) reported better-than-expected Q3 numbers, sending shares higher.
• Bare Escentuals Inc. (NASDAQ: BARE) Q3 profit easily topped analysts' estimates, and shares surged.
• Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. (NYSE: COG) received an upgrade following the release of its Q3 numbers.
• Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) reported strong Q1 results, sending shares higher.
• E*Trade Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: ETFC) reported a smaller-than-expected net loss for Q3.
• Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (NYSE: GT) Q3 earnings topped estimates and revenue was up sequentially.

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NYSE: GT) sold off on Wednesday by nearly 20%. Volume was vastly above average. The third-quarter earnings release was the culprit. Although, at first glance, you might wonder what the heck is wrong.

Sales were down 15% in Q3 on a year-over-year basis, but they did improve 11% on a sequential basis. The company increased GAAP earnings per share by more than 100% to 30 cents. According to Bloomberg, income was 45 cents per share after items were excluded, five pennies ahead of expectations.

Cooper Tire & Rubber (NYSE: CTB) rallied to $15.60 on September 14 on news President Obama decided to side with the United Steelworkers and impose temporary tariffs on Chinese car tires. CTB October option implied volatility is at 66, November and January is at 68; below its 26-week average of 79, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Goodyear Tire (NYSE: GT) closed at $17.78. GT overall option implied volatility of 56 is below a level of 190 from November 2008 and above its 52-week low of 54 from July, according to I Volatility, suggesting larger price movement.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

The Obama administration has announced that it is imposing tariffs on Chinese tire imports. The three-year plan will be have 35% tariffs the first year, 30% tariffs the second year, and 25% tariffs the third year.

This is good news for U.S. tire manufacturers and bad news for Chinese tire makers. American consumers will pay more for tires over the next three years than they would if they could buy cheap Chinese tires, but it will be a benefit for U.S. big labor and domestic tire makers as their products will be more competitive.

Investors, it makes sense to get it in gear with Goodyear Tire, if you can tolerate moderate risk.

I'm Reiterating my Buy rating for Goodyear Tire (NYSE: GT), first recommended on May 5, 2009 at a price of $13.30. Goodyear is set to soar. Here's why:

Here are some highlights from last week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU) reported a surprise profit but is expected to return to losses next quarter.
• Coach Inc. (NYSE: COH) profit and revenue were in line with expectations, sending shares lower.
• Corning Inc. (NYSE: GLW) posted better-than-expected earnings but other concerns drove down shares.
• eHealth Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH) reported solid Q2 numbers but Wall Street was not impressed.
• Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (NYSE: GT) posted a smaller-than-expected Q2 loss, sending shares higher.
• JAKKS Pacific Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) reported swinging to a Q2 net loss and revenues were flat.

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NYSE: GT) is having a good day. Shares of Goodyear are up almost 8% in afternoon trading. Volume looks healthy, too. The company may have reported a loss for the second quarter, but since expectations were soundly beat, the market saw fit to bid shares higher (and I'm sure a fair amount of traders who short the stock were forced to cover).

According to Reuters, Goodyear said it lost, on an adjusted basis, 35 cents per share. That compares to expectations for a loss of double that amount.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber (NYSE: GT) is another one of those generations-old stocks for which it's not easy to make a case.

The reason GT is not for the squeamish is obvious enough: a major decline in vehicle sales -- and equally significant: miles driven -- hits right at the company's core revenue stream: civilian tire sales.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Baidu Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU) reported better-than-expected Q1 earnings as revenues surged in the quarter.
• Burger King Holdings Inc. (NYSE: BKC) just beat Q3 expectations despite weak same-store sales growth.
• Corn Products International Inc. (NYSE: CPO) Q1 results were dragged down by higher corn costs.
• Dow Chemical Co. (NYSE: DOW) Q1 earnings sank on falling sales, job cuts and acquisition costs.
• Eastman Kodak Co. (NYSE: EK) reported a deeper-than-expected Q1 loss and suspended its dividend.
• Energizer Holdings Inc. (NYSE: ENR) posted better-than-expected Q2 earnings but revenue declined.