"G.E. is a company you can trust, delivering excellent earnings achieved with integrity and a transparency unsurpassed in global business."

But they are all great long-term companies with the potential to deliver mid-teens earnings growth over the next five years.

Analysts said Hewlett-Packard's ability to deliver strong earnings despite slow revenue growth spoke well for the company's financial management.

After almost a decade of investor expectations, the biotechnology companies appear to be on the verge of delivering new products and earnings.

"Historically they have had trouble delivering earnings to the bottom line, even in good times," Ms. Ubelhart said.

Drug stocks rallied as pharmaceutical companies continued to deliver strong earnings.

"There is a feeling that the best companies deliver predictable revenues and earnings quarter after quarter, but that's not appropriate to a company like ours."

I've included both stocks in our funds because they deliver consistent earnings.

A. There's been a fair amount of skepticism because, except for the drugs, these companies have been delivering disappointing earnings.

While an acquisition strategy will deliver earnings faster, one driven by internal growth could have a much bigger payoff.