Surprise! Five Companies That Crushed Earnings Estimates (MSPD, BAS, CKH, WTNY, CLUB)

Earnings season can be a tumultuous and stressful time for investors. All of the associated risk and uncertainty can leave you mentally exhausted (and often with less hair).That is why it is such a beautiful thing when companies report better-than-expected results. It gives shareholders three months of relative peace of mind; before earnings season comes around again, that is.The companies with the biggest positive surprises in this earnings season to date are:1) Mindspeed Technologies (NASDAQ: MSPD): Reported results on April 25th. The company posted earnings of $1.01 per share versus analyst estimates of $0.10 – 910% higher than anticipated. Shares have gained 1.9% since reporting.2) Basic Energy Services (NYSE: BAS): Reported results on April 20th. The company posted earnings of $.20 per share versus analyst estimates of $0.03 per share – 567% higher than anticipated. Shares have gained 10.7% since reporting.3) SEACOR Holdings (NYSE: CKH): Reported results on April 20th. The company posted earnings of $0.52 per share versus analyst estimates of $0.10 per share – 420% higher than anticipated. Shares have gained 2.3% since reporting.4) Whitney Holding (NASDAQ: WTNY): Reported results on April 21st. The company posted earnings of $0.13 per share versus analyst estimates of $0.03 per share – 333% higher than anticipated. Shares have gained 2.9% since reporting.5) Town Sports International (NASDAQ: CLUB): Reported results on April 26th. The company posted earnings of $0.07 per share versus analyst estimates of $0.02 per share – 250% higher than anticipated. Shares have gained 31.5% since reporting.