This weekly column ran into a roadblock last week. There weren't seven public companies projected to post higher earnings during the week.

New week, same problem.

This issue should resolve itself when earnings season kicks in later this month, but in the meantime, I have to dig a little deeper to find seven reasons to be cheerful. Starting  with the highest unemployment rate in 26 years, I'm bringing a backhoe.

1. Let's go Windows shopping
Saturday is the last day that XP and Vista users can preorder an upgrade copy of Microsoft 's (Nasdaq: MSFT) Windows 7 Home Premium for just $49. The operating system's suggested retail price will be $119 when it officially hits the market in October.

The world's largest software company is hoping that the new platform will silence the cred-crushing "I'm a Mac" ads that have hammered -- perhaps unfairly -- Windows Vista.

The July 11 preorder deadline is important. The buzz is building for Windows 7. The sharp discount is also making the operating system the top-selling product in Amazon.com 's (Nasdaq: AMZN) software store. So it's off to a great start, and we can only hope Microsoft will soon spill the beans on what should be juicy preorder numbers.

2. Let's go retailer shopping
Chain stores will post their comps for the month of June on Thursday, and the market is braced for something ugly. Thomson Reuters sees same-store sales clocking in 4.5% below where they were a year ago.

This is the kind of metric that may worry some investors, but I prefer to approach it from a more optimistic -- and opportunistic -- angle. Crummy comps are already baked into the market. How can the malls be buzzing when folks are still losing their jobs?

Well, the buoyant equity markets have had a favorable impact on consumer confidence. Many weaker retailers have either closed down or scaled back their operations. This situation would benefit the survivors, as they're able to cut thicker slices of the pie -- even if the pie is getting smaller.

There will clearly be some real losers in specialty retail, but the market is also ripe for more than a few surprises.  

3. Lights! Camera! Multiplex action!
An already hot year at the local multiplex should heat up with Friday's theatrical openings for Bruno and I Love You, Beth Cooper. Exhibitors are loving the box-office buzz, naturally. Even though we're in a recession, escapism and attractively priced matinees are helping draw audiences to the movie houses.

4, 5, 6. There is still growth to be found
Even if we don't have seven companies positioned to post bottom-line buoyancy this week, there are at least three notable standouts projected to grow.

Company

Latest Quarter's EPS (Estimated)

Year-Ago Quarter's EPS

Family Dollar (NYSE: FDO)

$0.59

$0.46

Chattem (Nasdaq: CHTT)

$1.22 Continued...