(EXP) - management expects earnings $4.40 to $4.70 - at least 45% growth - (KOMG) - boosting manufacturing capacity and launching new products

Richard Moroney, editor of the Upside newsletter, highlights small companies that outperformed in the June quarter. Read about a wallboard and cement company. Then learn about a leading supplier of disks used for data storage. Afterward, take a look at three names from this featured expert's Upside Buy List portfolio. June-quarter Earnings Leaders from August 7 Reviewed below are two attractively valued small-company stocks supported by favorable earnings estimate trends. These stocks delivered impressive June-quarter results. Eagle Materials' (EXP) outstanding June-quarter results reflected higher prices and strong volume gains in wallboard and cement. Per-share profits were $1.16, up from $0.64. Revenue rose 27%. Average net selling prices rose 41% for wallboard and 16% for cement. Shares of Eagle, the nation's fifth largest wallboard producer and 12th largest cement producer, have slumped on concerns about a slowdown in residential construction. But price increases for cement and continued growth in commercial construction should sustain growth. Also, residential wallboard sales are concentrated in Texas and the Southwest - two regions that remain strong. For fiscal 2007 ending March, management expects per-share earnings of $4.40 to $4.70, implying at least 45% growth. Share repurchases should bolster per-share profits. On June 30, Eagle had 51.2 million shares outstanding, down 7% from a year earlier. Komag (KOMG), a leading supplier of disks used for data storage, is benefiting from the seemingly insatiable demand for hard-drive space. To meet demand, the company is boosting manufacturing capacity and launching new products. June-quarter earnings per share jumped 32% to $1.21. Revenue increased 35%. The company shipped 36.6 million finished disks, up 33%. The shares have been hurt by profit-margin concerns. June-quarter net profit margin was 17.2%, down slightly from the year-earlier period and the March quarter. Still, with global demand for data storage stretching capacity, Komag's market leadership and relationships with large disk makers should translate into robust near-term growth. A sampling of the Upside Buy List Kforce (KFRC) is a full-service, web-based specialty staffing firm providing flexible and permanent staffing solutions for organizations and career management for individuals in the specialty skill areas of information technology, finance & accounting, human resources, engineering, pharmaceutical, health care, legal, e-solutions consulting, scientific and insurance and investments. kforce.com offers web-based services including online resumes and job postings, interactive interviews and job placements and career management strategies. Kirby (KEX) conducts operations in two business segments: marine transportation and diesel repair. The Company's marine transportation segment is engaged in the inland transportation of industrial chemicals, petrochemical feedstocks, agricultural chemicals and refined petroleum products by tank barge; and in the offshore transportation of refined petroleum products by tanker and tank barge, and dry-bulk, container and palletized cargoes by barge and break-bulk ship. The Company's diesel repair segment is engaged in the sale, overhaul and repair of diesel engines and related parts sales. Men's Wearhouse (MW) is one of the largest specialty retailers of menswear in the United States and Canada. Under the Men's Wearhouse brand, the company targets middle and upper middle income men by offering quality merchandise at everyday low prices. In addition to value, Men's Wearhouse, Inc. provides a superior level of customer service. This article highlights the commentary of Richard Moroney for the Zacks.com audience. Richard Moroney provides insightful analysis, market commentary, and favorite recommendations on a timely basis in "Upside" newsletter. Try it free for 30 days and see if you can improve your investment performance. Learn more about "Upside" and 30-Day Free Trial. And get immediate access to current issues and special reports. Click here now. Here's How You Can Profit from the Pros Find out what other leading experts are saying about the market. And what stocks they are recommending. For free. Just sign up for our free email newsletter, Profit from the Pros, where we'll give you the commentary, advice, and insight from those rare few experts who consistently beat the market year in, year out. Content Courtesy: Zacks Investment Research | Blog Home| VitalStocks Home