Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage on BloggingStocks:

• Coinstar Inc. (CSTR) shares surged following stronger-than-expected Q1 earnings driven by DVD rentals.
• Humana Inc. (HUM) shares traded lower despite the report of better-than-expected earnings for Q1.
• IMAX Corp. (IMAX) reported strong Q1 results that easily topped consensus estimates, but shares declined.
• Kellogg Co. (K) topped Q1 earnings expectations and announced a share buyback program.
• Office Depot Inc. (ODP) Q1 earnings fell short of consensus estimates and same-store sales declined.

United Airlines parent UAL Corp. (UAUA) was singled out for a directionally neutral spread strategy on Wednesday, with one options trader betting on near-term volatility for the airline issue. Shortly after the opening bell, a block of 325 contracts changed hands on UAUA's June 24 call for the ask price of $1.32, indicating they were purchased. Simultaneously, a matching block of 325 June 16 puts traded at the ask price of $0.50, revealing these contracts were also bought.

US Airways Group (LCC) has been in the spotlight ever since word hit the street that the airline was considering a potential merger with UAL Corp.'s (UAUA) United Airlines. Now the shares are attracting even more attention, thanks to an industry report suggesting that average summer airfares could rise 25% on a year-over-year basis.

As a result, LCC's call options have been drawing a crowd. On Tuesday alone, call volume surged to more than double the norm, with 7,345 contracts crossing the tape. During the course of the session, traders on the International Securities Exchange (ISE) alone bought to open 4,129 calls on the airline, compared to just one put.

US Airways (LCC) rallied 10% to close at $7.55 on reports of merger talks with United Airlines (UAUA). LCC is expected to report Q1 EPS in late April. WTI Crude futures are recently up 1.01% to $86.25, according to Bloomberg. Overall option implied volatility is below its 26-week average of 89, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

UAL Corp (UAUA) rallied 6% to close at $20.23. UAUA overall option implied volatility of 60 is below its 26-week average of 79, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Three stocks with IV rise on April 8; Eastman Kodak (EK) +15%, Brodcade (BRCD) +4%, MGM-Mirage (MGM) +2% according to IVolatility.

Update is by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage on BloggingStocks:

• Apple Inc. (AAPL) posted its highest quarterly revenue ever, easily beating estimates, as iPhone sales doubled.
• Boeing Co. (BA) swung to a larger-than-expected Q4 profit but guidance fell short of analysts' estimates.
• Chevron Corp. (CVX) fell short of analysts' earnings estimates for Q4, sending shares lower.
• Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO) shares rose after optimistic statements by the CEO ahead of Q2 results.
• Eastman Kodak Co. (EK) shares surged after it beat Q4 expectations by a wide margin and cash flow improved.
• Ford Motor Co. (F) reported its first annual profit in four years due to cost-cutting and improved market share.
• Halliburton Co. (HAL) reported lower Q4 earnings but beat estimates by a penny, and revenue also fell.

US Airways Group (LCC) stepped into the earnings spotlight Thursday morning, with the airline reporting a fourth-quarter loss of $79 million, or 49 cents per share -- representing a major improvement over its year-ago deficit of $543 million, or $4.76 per share. Excluding items such as hedging write-downs, US Airways' loss was only 20 cents per share, down from $1.94 in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Meanwhile, revenue dwindled 4.9% to $2.6 billion. Passenger revenue per available seat mile dropped 7%, while load factor backpedaled from 80% to 79.8%. US Airways was able to boost its bottom line even as top-line results suffered, thanks to a 17% decline in operating expenses (mostly due to more favorable fuel costs).

The fact that there hasn't been any action in a while doesn't mean there isn't room for more. Richard Anderson, CEO of Delta Airlines (DAL), says that the airline industry could consolidate further -- not exactly a shock in an industry that is known for universal financial suffering. He notes, "If a transaction were to occur, economics should prevail."

The only concern, of course, is whether the Obama administration would sign off on any future deals. Anderson believes, "I think the case can be made ultimately, but it remains to be seen what this administration's take will be."