"We had three companies that beat forecasts and we still have a strong economy."

A third report showed that orders for new goods from factories rebounded 1.7 percent in November, beating forecasts.

A few companies, including PeopleSoft, announced last week that they beat third-quarter forecasts.

The industry beat most forecasts with a 7 percent rise in May, and an annual sales pace of 15.9 million vehicles.

The results beat forecasts that were adjusted after previous warnings from the automaker.

Yesterday morning, snow started falling in the New York region about 7 a.m., beating forecasts by a few hours.

As the year progresses, analysts tend to raise their estimates, making it harder to beat forecasts.

In May 2009, India reported an economic growth rate of 5.8%, beating most forecasts.

Reader's Digest rose 1 3/8, to 33, after announcing tripled earnings that beat forecasts.

After the market closed, the company reported fourth-quarter earnings that beat lowered forecasts.