Unifi: The fabric of life

Love that new car smell? Or how that sofa cradles your body just so? Such comforts in life are the life’s work of fabric maker Unifi Inc. (NYSE:UFI).

PetMed Express: Begging for attention

The pet business is shaking off the chill of the economy as owners cut back on everything but their pets’ well-being. Good news for PetMed Express, Inc. (Nasdaq:PETS), which mails health products directly to the doggy door.

Allegiant Travel: Take the A Plane

As an airline company in a small-market niche, Allegiant Travel Co. (Nasdaq:ALGT) is profiting as others suffer the industry’s woes.

Neogen: Safety first

At Neogen (Nasdaq:NEOG), the first quarter of fiscal 2009 is in the books and the future doesn’t look too shabby for this maker of food and animal safety products.

TowneBank: Ruby slippers

While other banks travel over the rainbow in search of profits, TowneBank (Nasdaq:TOWN) is proving there is no place like home.

Syniverse Holdings: When in roam

Syniverse Holdings Inc. (NYSE:SVR) wants its customers — and its customers’ customers — to become masters of their mobile communications universe.

Diamond Foods: A diamond in the rough (economy)

Diamond Foods Inc. (Nasdaq:DMND) is on track to achieve or surpass its lofty future goals despite an unstable economy.

Bank of the Ozarks: Don't feed the alligators

For a bank, achieving record profits requires delicate balance: one slip and into the swamp of defaults, bankruptcies and frozen credit you go. Tiptoeing past the morass is Bank of the Ozarks (Nasdaq:OZRK).

Usana Health Sciences: A direct sell

It’s hard to go wrong in a business where some of your best customers are also your best salespeople. Just ask Usana Health Sciences Inc. (Nasdaq:USNA).

Amedisys: The right medicine

In a sick stock market, health-care companies often will outperform those in other sectors. Amedisys Inc. (Nasdaq:AMED) has proven the right medicine to chase away at least some investor blues.

Ralcorp Holdings: Stock the pantry

Around that storied kitchen table, consumers know that saving pennies adds up to meaningful dollars. Just ask shoppers who stock their pantry with goods from Ralcorp Holdings (NYSE:RAH).

Russell 2000: At a crossroads

There are some positive signals worth noting on daily charts but weekly studies still lack the punch to suggest the lows are in place.

Steve Madden: Baby steps

There's no business like the shoe business, but can a designer shoe company prosper even in recessionary times? Just ask Steven Madden (Nasdaq:SHOO).

Schiff Nutrition: Taking stock in life's latter years

Sixty is the new 40, and 70 is the new 50. These assertions have driven advances in Schiff Nutrition International Inc. (NYSE:WNI).

Fuel Systems Solutions: Tools for a more fuel-efficient future

Fuel Systems Solutions (Nasdaq:FSYS) helps vehicles run more efficiently on cleaner sources of fuel.

Bottoming theory picks up support, but...

Was Friday's reversal the manna from heaven that downtrodden stock market bulls have been clamoring for?

The Finish Line: Footwear giant has extra bounce in its step

The Finish Line Inc. (Nasdaq:FINL) seems to have found solid footing during shaky times.

TreeHouse Foods: Out on a limb...where the good fruit is

With the toxic combination of higher fuel prices, soaring brand name prices, and the general fear and loathing on Wall Street, TreeHouse Foods (NYSE:THS) looks like a promising bet.

SCBT Financial: The other B-word

Mention the "B" word (or "banks") as a viable investment path in this time of great hand-wringing, and some might gasp, shake their heads and run away. That is, unless they invest in SCBT Financial (Nasdaq:SCBT).

Websense: Staving off attacks

Websense (Nasdaq:WBSN) has been able to weather the market’s recent storm.

National Health Investors: Shelter from the hurricane

These days it is hard to know where to put your money. Enter National Health Investors (NYSE:NHI).

NovaMed: Taking care of business

More baby-boomers are going under the knife one day and returning to work the next ... and they’re doing it all without setting foot in a hospital, thanks in part to NovaMed (Nasdaq:NOVA).

SXC Health Solutions: A clean bill of health

The way SXC Health Solutions (Nasdaq:SXCI) sees it, even through current market malaise, the company is standing firm with its feet planted in two complementary arenas.

Monro Muffler Brake: Smooth ride on a bumpy road

The grim news on Wall Street is great news for Monro Muffler Brake (Nasdaq:MNRO).

Stanley Inc.: Growing better with age

Bolstered by a rock-solid backlog, a synergistic acquisition and continued organic growth, Stanley, Inc. (NYSE:SXE) has a strong outlook. Also, watch our exclusive interview with Stanley CEO Phil Nolan.