Today begins with LSI Industries (LYTS), which supplies lighting fixtures and graphics elements for applications in the retail, specialty niche and commercial markets. It has been rated a buy since August 2005. The company's revenue growth outpaces the industry average, and its debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04 is also better than that of its industry, implying that there has been very successful management of debt levels. LSI's net income increased by 36.6% in the third quarter of its fiscal 2007 when compared with the same quarter one year ago, rising to $3.30 million from $2.42 million.

Preferred Bank (PFBC) operates as an independent commercial bank in California. It has been rated a buy since December 2005. The company's EPS increased by 23.4% in the second quarter compared with the same period last year, continuing a two-year pattern of positive EPS growth. Net income growth over the same period exceeded that of both the S&P 500 and the commercial bank industry average, and return on equity improved slightly compared with the same quarter a year ago.

CAM Commerce Solutions (CADA) engages in the design, development, marketing, installation and servicing of integrated retailing and payment processing for brick-and-mortar and e-commerce businesses. It has been rated a buy since August 2005. The company's EPS improved by 100% in the second quarter of 2007 compared with the same period last year, and it has no debt to speak of. Although the company may harbor some minor weaknesses, they are unlikely to have a significant impact on results.

The holding company for Tennessee-based Greene County Bank, Greene Bankshares (GRNB) has been rated a buy since August 2005. Its strengths include expanding profit margins and net income. In the second quarter of 2007, earnings rose to 29% to $7.09 million $5.48 million a year earlier. Revenue growth outpaced the industry average during the same time frame, as did EPS, which improved by 12.7%. The company has demonstrated a pattern of positive EPS growth over the past two years.

Badger Meter (BMI) engages in the manufacture and marketing of products using the flow measurement and control technologies developed both internally and with other technology companies. It has been rated a buy since August 2005. The company's net income increased by 35% in the second quarter of 2007 to $5.47 million from $4.05 million a year earlier. The company's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average, implying successful management of debt levels. Badger has demonstrated a two-year pattern of positive EPS growth, though TheStreet.com Ratings anticipates underperformance relative to this pattern in the coming year.