Stocks broke a four-day losing streak, helped by better-than-projected August sales from retailers but the advance was lukewarm as investors chose to play it safe ahead of today’s non-farm payrolls report.  After touching their 2009 highs, stocks have drifted lower this week on concerns that a major correction is in the offing.  Sentiments are also shaky as September has historically been a rough month for stocks.  

Yesterday, the 30-stock Dow Jones industrial average finished higher by 63.94 points, or 0.69%, at 9,344.61.  The broad Standard & Poor's 500-stock index rose 8.49 points, or 0.85%, at 1,003.24, closing above 1,000 for the first time since Monday; the technology-laden Nasdaq composite index gained 16.13 points, or 0.82%, to 1,983.20.  Twenty two of the thirty DJIA components advanced.

Although stocks traded in a tight range yesterday, the final hour of trading witnessed activity as traders picked up technology and financial stocks.  Better-than-expected

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We're going to stay in retail for a second straight day and highlight Brown Shoe Company, Inc. (BWS), which is up about 9% today.

< ?DART(15);?> This Zacks #1 Rank Top Performer from the retail - apparel/shoe industry comes a day after women's specialty retailer AnnTaylor Stores (ANN) was featured.

Retail is one of the better-represented spaces on the Zacks #1 Rank List at the moment. Including BWS, there are 7 other companies from the industry on the list: Aeropostale (ARO), Cato Corp. (CTR), Charlotte Russe (CHIC), Genesco (GCO), J. Crew Group (JCG), Men's Wearhouse (MW) and Stein Mart, Inc. (SMRT).

Earnings Estimates

Analysts currently expect a loss of 2 cents per share for this fiscal year, which ends January 2010. The result has narrowed significantly from a loss of 38 cents 2 months ago.

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL - May 18, 2009 - Zacks.com releases the list of companies likely to issue earnings surprises. This week's list includes Deere & Co. (DE), Home Depot (HD), Lowe's (LOW), Target (TGT), Aeropostale (ARO) and Gap Inc. (GAP). To see more earnings analysis, visit http://at.zacks.com/?id=3207.

Every day, Zacks.com makes 4 stock picks available, free of charge. To see them, go to http://at.zacks.com/?id=3567.

The Week's Events

First-quarter earnings season nears an end with Deere & Co. (DE), Home Depot (HD), Lowe's (LOW) and Target (TGT) reporting. Joining them will be 15 other members of the S&P 500. In total, we have confirmed reports from 124 companies.

There is not much on the economic calendar, though the minutes from the

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A.F. analysts clash… can the niche retailer survive the credit crunch?…Crisis begets steadfast citizens… Americans move about the country at lowest rate in 47 years…A long-term outlook on the American stock market…The latest sector to catch Chris Mayer’s attention…U.K. launches historic spending spree, hikes taxes to 50%..

If the credit-strapped suburban mall culture is truly on the rocks, how long do you think this can survive:

Lady Amaranth, Goth Temptress

Among our analysts, a debate brews at the heart of the current consumer conundrum: “Cutting-edge apparel retailer Hot Topic,” writes Wayne Burritt, about the purveyor of goth clothing and lip-piercing paraphernalia, “is loaded with attractive fundamentals and technicals, while its call options offer an oversized premium. Hot Topic is a mall and Web-based specialty retailer that has a proven track record in the often-fickle teen

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