STEC Inc. (STEC): Long ahead of earnings. STEC will likely gap higher this week due to an earnings catalyst. Last quarter came ahead of estimates with Non-GAAP gross profit margin was 34.1% for the third quarter of 2008, compared to 31.1% for the third quarter of 2007, and 35.3% for the second quarter of 2008. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share was $0.10 for the third quarter of 2008, compared to $0.06 for the third quarter of 2007, and $0.09 for the second quarter of 2008. GAAP gross profit margin was 32.1% for the third quarter of 2008, compared to 29.0% for the third quarter of 2007, and 32.3% for the second quarter of 2008. In Novomber, the board approved a $10 million dollar buyback. Needham has a "strong buy" on STEC with a $15 price target (3x current price)

NPS Pharmaceuticals (NPSP): Long ahead of earnings. Shares of NPS Pharmaceutical have been relative depressed as of late, despite a broader biotech rally the last several months. Last quarter, NPS Pharma earned $1.2 million, or 3 cents per share, compared with a loss of $14.8 million, or 32 cents per share, during the same period a year earlier. Revenue rose to $27 million from $13.1 million on increased license and royalty fees. Analysts were expecting a loss of 17 cents per share on revenue of $27 million. NPS said revenue gains resulted from licensing fees from Nycomed for Gattex, which is designed to treat short-bowel syndrome. It also received royalty revenue on sales of Amgen's (AMGN) Sensipar. Some of the top biotech investors are in NPS, such has the $7 billion New York City-based biotech hedge fund OrbiMed Advisors, which is the second-largest investor with an 8.39% stake. In addition, Merlin BioMed Group has a 2.59% stake, and Renaissance Technologies has a 7.81% stake. Once investors see NPS’s earnings with an update on their pipeline, they will likely bid the stock substantially higher.

AeroVironment (AVAV): Recently Jim Cramer said “I'm afraid that people are clustered in thinking that this is the Obama defense stock”, adding “We've got to get over the idea that we can make money on the long side with Obama”. Shares of AeroVironment are up 60% for the year which compares to a decline in the Standard & Poor’s 500 index of 56%.

Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan (POT): Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan is the world’s lowest-cost producer and supplier of Potash in the world. The Potash fertilizer is the highest yielding, naturally produced fertilizer known to man. In 2008, PotashCorp produced north of 15 million tons, which represents almost 25% of the total amount of Potash consumed in the world. Gross margins went from just $300 million dollars in 2003 to $3.5 billion in 2008 with an estimated figure of $5.5 billion in 2009.

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