United States Steel (X), which is set to report earnings during the middle of next week. Despite the massive pullback in steel stocks, steel demand is extremely tight. Goldman Sachs (GS) raised their second half 2008 earnings-per-share estimates, and boosting their 2008 EPS estimate to $17.30 from $16.30. They are also raising 2009, 2010 and normalized EPS estimates to $28.25, $25.00 and $17.25, respectively, from $25.00, $22.00 and $16.00 Chinese demand, coupled with the United States now being a net-importer of steel, makes US Steel a good earnings play.

Gulfmark Offshore (GLF), reports next week. Play that ahead of earnings and you will happy. Analyst estimates on the company are ridiculously low. For starters, Gulfmark has exceeded analyst estimates the past 7 quarters in a row by an average margin of 38.5%. Q1, which has historically been the weakest for the company (due to weather issues in the North Sea markets) was a huge upside surprise for the company. Analysts were looking for a $1.1 a share for the quarter, yet Gulfmark reported $1.4 a share—that's a 27% earnings beat, in what is historically the weakest for the company. Estimates for Q2 are for $1.44, which is again, ridiculously low—I am looking for $1.95 per share. I take analyst estimates of $1.44 than I added a 35% premium to those earnings. Why 35%? As previously stated the company as exceed analyst estimates by 38.5%, the second quarter is always strong and the recent parabolic move in oil can only help the company. This stock has been unduly punished and is poised to snapback

Caraustar (CSAR), which got punished last week, after closing down their paperboard mill. The company has 250 million in debt which becomes current this June and due one year from then. The company will essentially be forced to sell segments of the company to pay off the debt and not get a going concern notice from there auditors in early August. The perception by the market is that they are close to going broke or will have to raise money at unfavorable terms. The reality is that the sum of the parts is worth a multiple of the current valuation Sum of parts analyses shows that CSAR, is worth $3

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