10:30AM New York – Group One Automotive, Hartford Financial Services and U.S. Steel surge after reporting better-than-expected earnings.

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc, one of the nation''s largest diversified financial services companies said second quarter net income fell 13% to $543 million or $1.73 per diluted share compared to net income of $627 million or $1.96 per share, a year ago.

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc (HIG: chart) in the last one year traded as high as $99.21 in October 2007 and as low as $53.20 in July 2008. Based on the yesterday’s closing price the company has a market cap of $18.34 billion.

Rent-A-Center, Inc, the nation’s largest rent-to-own operator said second quarter revenues decreased 0.72% to $719.0 million from $724.2 million a year ago. Net income in the quarter falls 9.54% to $37.7 million or 56 cents per diluted share compared to net income of $41.3 million or 58 cents per share, a year ago. Same store sales increased 0.9%.

Rent-A-Center, Inc (RCII: chart) in the last one year traded as high as $24.96 in July 2007 and as low as $11.67 in January 2008. Based on the yesterday’s closing price the company has a market cap of $1.57 billion.

BE Aerospace, Inc, the world''s biggest supplier of aircraft interior products reported second quarter sales rose 31.1% to $522.2 million from $398.2 million a year ago. Net income in the quarter increased 47.30% to $53.9 million or 59 cents per diluted share compared to net income of $28.4 million or 31 cents per share, a year ago.

BE Aerospace, Inc (BEAV: chart) in the last one year traded as high as $54.09 in December 2007 and as low as $20.62 in July 2008. Based on the yesterday’s closing price the company has a market cap of $2.31 billion.

Group 1 Automotive, Inc, one of the largest auto retailers reported second quarter revenues fell 7.1% to $1.5 billion from $1.6 billion a year ago. Net income in the quarter decreased 31.35% to $18.5 million or 82 cents per diluted share compared to net income of $24.3 million or $1.02 per share, a year ago.

Group 1 Automotive, Inc (GPI: chart) in the last one year traded as high as $40.00 in September 2007 and as low as $14.53 in July 2008. Based on the yesterday’s closing price the company has a market cap of $399.28 million.

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc, a media and merchandising company reported second quarter revenues rose 5% to $77.1 million from $73.4 million a year ago. Net income in the quarter was $328,000 or $0.01 per diluted share compared to net loss of $6.7 million or 13 cents per share, a year ago.

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc (MSO: chart) in the last one year traded as high as $15.48 in August 2007 and as low as $5.22 in January 2008. Based on the yesterday’s closing price the company has a market cap of $414.33 million.

The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc, a global information services provider serving the financial services reported second quarter revenues slipped 2.6% to $1.67 billion from $1.72 billion a year ago. Net income in the quarter slipped 23.4% to $212.3 million or 66 cents per diluted share compared to net income of $277.1 million or 79 cents per share, a year ago.

The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc (MHP: chart) in the last one year traded as high as $61.62 in July 2007 and as low as $33.91 in March 2008. Based on the yesterday’s closing price the company has a market cap of $11.96 billion.

United States Steel Corporation, an integrated steel producer reported second quarter revenues increased 60% to $6.74 billion from $4.23 billion a year ago. Net income in the quarter rose 55% to $668 million or $5.65 per diluted share compared to net income of $302 million or $2.54 per share, a year ago.

United States Steel Corporation (X: chart) in the last one year traded as high as $196.00 in June 2008 and as low as $74.41 in August 2007. Based on the yesterday’s closing price the company has a market cap of $17.11 billion.

Valero Energy Corporation, North America''s largest crude oil refiner reported second quarter revenues rose 34% to $36.6 billion from $24.2 billion a year ago. Net income in the quarter fell 67% to $734 million or $1.37 per diluted share compared to net income of $2.25 billion or $3.89 per share, a year ago.

Valero Energy Corporation (VLO: chart) in the last one year traded as high as $75.75 in October 2007 and as low as $29.70 in July 2008. Based on the yesterday’s closing price the company has a market cap of $16.81 billion.