Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation (BGFV) announced a big third-quarter report earlier this week that has led to increased earnings estimates in the past several days.

< ?DART(15);?> The sporting goods retailer also set down a fourth-quarter earnings guidance above the Zacks Consensus Estimate, which has also taken a turn higher lately.

Today, shares of Big 5 are up approximately 10%, making it a top-performing Zacks #1 Rank stock. Volume at around 165,000 shares is above the daily average at 153,000.

As of its quarterly report on Nov 3, Big 5 operated 382 stores in 11 states, providing a product mix that includes athletic shoes, apparel and accessories, outdoor and athletic equipment for team sports, fitness, camping, hunting, fishing, tennis, golf, snowboarding and in-line skating.

Out of 230 stocks on today's Zacks #1 Rank List, Big 5 is one of only 2 companies

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Brigham Exploration Company (BEXP) announced results for one of its wells in the Bakken Shale today, prompting a 7% gain in its share price and securing a spot on the Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers List.

< ?DART(15);?> In addition to this company-specific news, BEXP is also getting a hand from an improving outlook for oil stocks as oil prices have finally broken out of its trading range.

Brigham Exploration is an independent exploration, development and production company that utilizes advanced exploration, drilling and completion technologies to systematically explore for, develop and produce domestic onshore oil and natural gas reserves.

It's 1 of 3 companies from the Oil-U.S. Exploration & Production industry on today's Zacks #1 Rank List, which includes 215 stocks in total. The other 2 names are Linn Energy, LLC (LINE) and Plains Exploration & Production Company (PXP).

Earnings estimates

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With consumers looking for good value in their purchases during tough economic times, Valassis (VCI) finds itself in a sweet spot.

< ?DART(15);?> Today, the media and marketing services company also finds itself as a top-performing Zacks #1 Rank, with shares that have advanced approximately 7%.

(In addition to company-specific factors, VCI is most likely getting a boost today from news out of Gannett (GCI) that third-quarter earnings are expected to top expectations.)

VCI offers a wide range of marketing services to customer packaged goods manufacturers, retailers, technology companies and other customers. It is the only company that provides a combination of home-delivered media products and services at the market, neighborhood and household targeted levels, an can integrate all three levels of targeting into a single solution.

The company is gaining a lot of traction in this environment from its coupon books and

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We're going to stick with retailers a little while longer and today highlight Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. (JAS), a home decorating and crafts company that just surprised in its fiscal second quarter while boosting its full-year outlook.

< ?DART(15);?> Shares of this Zacks #1 Rank Top Performer are up approximately 9% Thursday. Volume is well above normal at about 715,000 shares, compared to the daily average of 187,000.

JAS is 1 of 4 companies from the retail-miscellaneous/diversified industry on today's Zacks #1 Rank List, which includes 229 stocks in total. The other 3 companies are Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. (DKS), Dover Saddlery, Inc. (DOVR) and Tractor Supply Company (TSCO).

Fiscal Second Quarter Results

Yesterday, JAS announced a loss per share of 13 cents in its fiscal second quarter. This loss was narrower than both the year-ago loss of 47 cents, and the

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