The major market indexes were all up big in July, but their performance pales in comparison to selected subsectors.

The top-10 tickerspy Indexes over the last month were all up by over 20%, more than double the performance of the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq benchmarks. Second-quarter earnings were the primary driver, but improving housing data and generally improving economic sentiment helped lift stock prices. Meanwhile, companies slashed costs and reduced inventories, helping them to overcome substantial declines in year-over-year revenues. Investors quickly shrugged off the dismal June unemployment numbers, and have so far ignored poor back to school retail forecasts. Slight dips in recent weeks have been viewed as buying opportunities and “resilient” is among the most applicable descriptions of the market’s monthly performance. Some of the top performing sectors were those that had been beaten down the worst during the recession, and are rebounding towards more appropriate valuations on continued signs of life for the economy. Overall it was a tough month to be short, especially in these high-flying industries.

Investors in recreational vehicle stocks cruised their way to July gains averaging a whopping 37.6%. These companies were crushed at the outset of the recession, as investors pared exposure to expendable luxury items. The sector has rallied significantly since its March lows, accelerating in July on strong earnings.

The Recreational Vehicle Stocks Index was the month’s top performer in July, helped by Brunswick’s (BC) massive jump in the last two trading days. Brunswick, manufacturer of recreational boats, high-end billiard tables, bowling equipment, and fitness machines, was in the red during the second quarter, announced July 30. Investors were more interested in the company’s $461.2 million of cash on its books, up 45% from the start of the year. Shares staged a 55% weekly rally on the news to end the month ahead by 68%.

All-terrain vehicle company Arctic Cat (ACAT) also accelerated in the last week of July, now up 50% for the month. The company’s fiscal first-quarter results were better than expected — despite lower sales — after the company cut operating expenses by 23% and reduced inventories by 19%. Investors are betting that this winter’s snowmobile season will be a good one as the company continues to implement its operational efficiency initiatives.

Meanwhile, Winnebago (WGO) and Harley Davidson (HOG) both gave consumers and investors something to be happy about in July, debuting 2010 vehicles and jumping by more than 40% in value.

Investors who bought into newspaper and magazine stocks at the beginning of the month made some huge gains, though those who bought a year ago are still down by -30% or more. The components of the Newspaper and Magazine Stocks Index have been killed during the recession. These stocks had enough problems dealing with the Internet before the bottom fell out of the economy and slashed already dwindling ad revenues. In the second quarter, though, many old-school news companies were able to cut costs dramatically, allowing them to report black numbers in their July reports. Six of the Index’s 15 components more than doubled in July, helping it to a 34% monthly average.

Gannet (GCI), publisher of 80 newspapers including the country’s most popular, USA Today, gave the sector a boost when it reported second quarter profits on July 16. The company’s 17% short interest got killed as the stock rallied from below $3.50 to above $5 in less than four days. It has since run to above the $7 mark, a 100% gain for the month.

The McClatchy Company (MNI) more than tripled in July after surprising more than a few with its second-quarter profit. The company, whose publications include The Kansas City Star, The Miami Herald, and The Charlotte Observer, among others, earned $42.2 million or 50 cents a share in Q2, despite a 25% drop in revenue.

Journal Communications (NSYE: JRN) couldn’t turn a profit in the second quarter, but that didn’t stop it from taking part in the newspaper rally. It turns out the red number was the result of a $19 million impairment charge. If excluded, Journal Communications made 7 cents in EPS. The stock was up by 137% in July.

No stocks in the Rubber and Plastic Stocks Index doubled in July, but most were up by more than 20%. As a whole, the Index was up just under 30%, and some of the top performers have yet to report second-quarter performance figures.

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (GT) trended upward steadily throughout July before jumping sharply on earnings late in the month. The company beat expectations, despite losing -$221 million in the quarter. “Cost cutting and cash generation continue to have the desired effect,” said CEO Robert Keegan. The cost cutting came at the expense of 1,700 jobs in the second quarter, adding to the United States’ large unemployment rate.

Elsewhere in the sector it was the news of new business that helped stocks to advance. On July 15, Avon Lake, Ohio-based PolyOne (POL) announced that its new technology platforms and biopolymer solutions helped the company secure hundreds of qualified sales leads within a week of launching. A week later shares rose further on news that the company had expanded existing agreements and added new suppliers. Overall the stock advanced by over 60% in July, leading the Index. PolyOne will report its earnings on August 6.

The above Indexes represent three of the top performing tickerspy Indexes over the last month.

DryShips (DRYS) announced better-than-expected second quarter earnings after the bell yesterday, helping dry bulk shipping stocks finish the week strong.

Athens, Greece-based DryShips reported an adjusted EPS of 25 cents yesterday, 2 cents ahead of analysts’ expectations. The overall net profit in the second quarter was $52.8 million, down from $299.8 million in the same period last year. According to Reuters, rates for the largest drybulk ships doubled from the first quarter of 2009 to $20,000 per day. Hopes for a continued economic rebound are helping the sector, whose Baltic Dry Index price benchmark rose earlier in the week on positive U.S. housing data. Today the industry’s stocks are up across the board to finish a week in which some out up double-digit percentage gains.

As a whole, the Dry Bulk Shipping Stocks Index is up by 1.8% today. It is currently beating the S&P 500 by 5.2% over the last month.

Oceanfreight (NADSAQ: OCNF) is up 18% over the last week, and will be reporting second-quarter results on August 5. The Index’s largest component, barge operator Kirby (KEX), is also up by more than 10% over the period.

Star Bulk Carriers (SBLK) and Navios Maritime Holdings (NM) are both up by 5% in the last week. On Tuesday, Navios announced a 25% jump in operating income to $15.2 million on $22.2 million in revenue. Chief executive Angeliki Frangou noted that the company will benefit from “steadier global demand for dry bulk products while also participating in the rebalancing of the global fleet.”

Torm AS Steamship (TRMD) is the worst performer over the last week, down -7%. Other laggards including Genco Shipping (GNK) and Paragon Shipping (PRGN) are down by more than -2% over the last week. Diana Shipping (DSX) is also in negative territory for the period.

The Dry Bulk Shipping Stocks Index is one of the top-75 performing tickerspy Indexes over the last month, up by 12.8%.

Investors can follow the Dry Bulk Shipping Stocks Index and view related performance charts and metrics at tickerspy.com.

Companies are ramping up production of disposable surgical masks in anticipation of a fall swine flu outbreak, but the Centers for Disease Control doesn’t always recommend them.

A week ago we noted 3M’s (MMM) participation in the swine flu prevention market with a $20 million investment to ramp up respiratory mask output. Today, a Bloomberg report announced that GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) plans to introduce a surgical-style mask to shield individuals from the disease. Fort Worth, Texas-based Prestige Ameritech plans to manufacture around the clock for the first time in its history in order to meet the demand for masks. However, according to the Center for Disease Control’s website, the disposable, paper masks “are not designed to protect against breathing in very small particle aerosols that may contain viruses.” Alpha Pro Tech (APT) produces a more heavy-duty particulate respirator that meets WHO and CDC recommended protection levels.

Alpha Pro Tech is the only pure protective apparel play in the Swine and Bird Flu Stocks Index. The rest of the components have exposure to the vaccine or pharmaceutical remedy market.

The latest addition to the Index is Inovio Biomedical Corporation (INO). On Wednesday the company issued a press release, stating that its universal flu vaccine demonstrated 100% protection against the H1N1 virus in animal studies. The stock has more than doubled since the announcement, and is adding another 15% rally to end the week.

Novavax (NVAX), Pure Bioscience (NASDADQ: PURE), and AVI Biopharma (AVII) are other big winners this week, up by 16% or more.

As of this writing the Swine Flu Stocks Index is one of the top-10 performing tickerspy Indexes over the last month, up 20.2%.

Investors can follow the Swine and Bird Flu Stocks Index and view related performance charts and metrics at tickerspy.com.

Coffee stocks have been on ice for much of the last month, but earnings are heating things up again.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR) gave caffeine-crazed investors something to celebrate today, even though its fiscal third-quarter revenues came in lower than expected. Earnings for the period were $14.1 million or 36 cents a share, up from $6.3 million or 16 cents a share in the same period last year. The company topped profit estimates by 8 cents, but revenues were approximately -$3.5 million less than expectations. Green Mountain made its mark on the coffee industry with its K-Cup single-serving coffee packs and Keurig roasters. Shares are up by 4% today on the news.

As a whole, the Coffee Stocks Index is up by 5%. It is currently lagging the S&P 500 by -4.3% over the last month.

Diedrich Coffee (DDRX) is leading the coffee rally today with a 7% gain. A $1000 investment in Diedrich at its March low or 31 cents is now worth just under $80,000. Investors will have to wait until September 22 for the company’s results, but for now they will just enjoy another double-digit weekly rally.

Coffeehouses are all up in the rally, led by Caribou Coffee (CBOU). Starbucks (SBUX) isn’t far behind, and Peet’s Coffee & Tea (PEET) is hanging onto fractional gains.

California-based coffee companies, Javo Beverage (OTC: JAVO) and Farmer Brothers (FARM) are also up in the rally, though they remain weekly laggards.

As of this writing, the Coffee Stocks Index is one of the 50 worst-performing tickerspy Indexes over the last month, up by just 3.6%.

Investors can follow the Coffee Stocks Index and view related performance charts and metrics at tickerspy.com.

Earnings are tailwind for these eco-friendly energy stocks.

Devens, Massachusetts-based American Superconductor (AMSC) shares are trading higher by 30% today after the company posted net income of $1.8 million or 4 cents a share on record revenue. The company also boosted its full year guidance, now projecting EPS of 41 to 47 cents a share on revenue between $260 and $270 million. The outlook is a significant improvement over the company’s prior forecast of 27 to 30 cents in EPS on $225 to $435 million in revenue. Meanwhile the company’s largest customer, China’s Sinovel Wind, just upped its contract by $20 million to $470 million.

As a whole, the Wind Energy Stocks Index is up by 4.7% today. It is now beating the S&P 500 fractionally over the last month.

Yesterday after the market closed, Trinity Industries (TRN) reported a net loss of -$209.4 million or -$2.75 per share. However, after excluding an after tax charge of $243.3 million, the company was in the black by $33.9 million or 43 cents a share. Still, earnings were down from the same period last year, when earnings per share were $1.03. The company gapped higher by 6% this morning, but has since slipped into negative territory by more than -4%.

Also after the bell yesterday, Florida’s MasTec (MTZ) announced a 21% jump in second-quarter income to $19 million or 25 cents a share. Revenue for the quarter was up 27% from last year to $388 million. The company focused on cutting costs, and increased its gross margin by 50 basis points to 15.4%, according to a press release. Shares are trading higher by 11% today, but the stock remains a laggard over the last month, down -12.4%.

A week ago today, Woodward Governor (WGOV) reported $25 million or 36 cents a share in quarterly profit, down from $32 million or 47 cents a share a year prior. Shares have slipped by -5.4% since the report, but are participating in the sector-wide rally today.

The Index’s two largest components, Quanta Services (PWR) and Owens Corning (OC) will report earnings before the bell on Wednesday, August 5. Analysts are expecting respective EPS of 16 cents and 9 cents.

Owens Corning is now the runner-up in terms of monthly performance in the wind sector. Taking the top spot is A-Power Energy Generation Systems (APWR), up 42% over the period.

The Wind Energy Stocks Index still lags the Solar Stocks Index over the last month, but by less than -1%. Neither have been able to break into the top-100 tickerspy Indexes over the period.

Credit card stocks are chasing MasterCard (MA) higher today after its profits topped expectations.

In the second quarter, MasterCard earned $349 million or $2.67 a share. The profits were a huge improvement over last year’s -$747 million loss. The company cut costs, reducing total operating expenses by -13%, but not at the expense of revenue, which advanced by 2.7% to $1.3 billion. Investors are driving shares up by 7% on the report.

As a whole, the Credit Card Stocks Index is up by 4.2% today. It is now beating the S&P 500 by 8.8% over the last month.

Yesterday Visa (V), the world’s largest credit card company, also announced better-than-expected quarterly performance figures. The company’s profit jumped 73% to $729 million or 97 cents a share. The company was helped by debit cards, which a study by The Tower Group says accounted for nearly half of combined card use last year for MasterCard and Visa, according to Bloomberg.

At $5.6 billion, Discover Financial Services (DFS) is the smallest of the Index’s components. On a weekly basis, however, its performance trails only MasterCard. It has now gained by 19% over the last month.

American Express (AXP) is a laggard on a weekly basis, down -3%. It is the only stock in the Index that has slipped into negative territory over the period. At the start of the second quarter 41 Pros counted the stock among their top-15 U.S. equity holdings, including Warren Buffett, whose Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-A, BRK-B) owns more than 10% of outstanding shares.

As of this writing, the Credit Card Stocks Index is one of the top-25 performing tickerspy Indexes over the last month, up by 17.1%.

Russian stocks and ADRs fell sharply on Wednesday as oil futures dropped by -5.5%.

For the world’s largest energy supplier, a -5.5% daily drop in oil prices is not a good thing. Russia is learning that the hard way today, and its U.S. listed stocks and ADRs are off by as much as -14%. Crude futures are trading below $64 today, slipping from above the $67 mark. Meanwhile the ruble is on pace for its biggest two-day decline in three weeks, according to Bloomberg.

As a whole, the Russia Stocks and ADRs Index is down by -4.6% today. It is currently underperforming the S&P 500 by -3.7 over the last month.

Russian oil company Surgutneftegas (OTC: SGTPY) is dropping by -14% today. That’s almost -3% for every syllable in its name. It is followed by nickel and palladium producer, JSC Norilsk (OTC: NILSY), which is off by -6%.

Other oil plays are also in the red today. Lukoil (OTC: LUKOY) and Gazprom (OTC: OGZPY) are off by -4% on the day.

Mobile TeleSystems (MBT) is also down -6%, underperforming Vimpel Communications (VIP) and Rostelecom (ROS).

Wimm Bill Dann Foods (WBD) and steel producer Mechel (MTL) are both hanging onto 12% weekly gains despite today’s selloff.

As of this writing, the Russia Stocks and ADRs Index is one of the five worst-performing tickerspy International Indexes over the last week, trading flat over the period.

Investors can follow the Russia Stocks and ADRs Index and view related performance charts and metrics at tickerspy.com.

Uranium stocks got hammered on Wednesday after the Department of Energy denied USEC’s (USU) request for $2 billion in loan guarantees.

Yesterday USEC expressed its disappointment in the Department of Energy’s denial of its previously promised loan guarantee. Without the government support, private financing cannot be obtained according to the company. USEC’s CEO, John K. Welch said, “President Obama promised to support the loan guarantee for the American Centrifuge Plant while he campaigned in Ohio. We are disappointed that campaign commitment has not been met.” Investors share Welch’s disappointment, as they are now down close to -40% in two days.

As a whole, the Uranium Stocks Index is down by -4.1% today. It is now lagging the S&P 500 over the last month by -15.7%.

All the Index’s components are down by more than -2% today. Paladin Energy (OTC: PALAF) is leading the drop, down -7%.

Uranerz Energy (URZ) and Toronto-based Denison Mines (DNN) are down by -4% in the selloff.

Uranium Energy (UEC) and Cameco (CCJ) are top performers with losses of less than -3%. Cameco will report its earnings on August 12.

As of this writing the Uranium Stocks Index is the second-worst performing tickerspy Index over the last month, down -10.6%.

Investors can follow the Uranium Stocks Index and view related performance charts and metrics at tickerspy.com.

Crude oil futures fell by -6% on Wednesday, putting a hurt on related equities.

Oil’s decline accelerated in a second straight down day after the American Petroleum Institute announced a 4.07 million barrel weekly increase in crude inventories. Christopher Bellew, a senior broker at Bache Commodities in London, told Bloomberg, “it’s unlikely the market will hold above $70 a barrel in the near future, especially as this would undermine the fragile economic recovery.” For the time being, oil investors are hoping the commodity gets back above $65 a barrel, let alone $70. Oil-related equities are getting punished, not only by the new inventory data, but also by downgrades, and weak earnings. Many stocks are off by more than -5% in the sector-wide selloff.

As a whole, the Oil Services and Equipment Stocks Index is down by -3.2% today. It is now lagging the S&P 500 over the last month by -2.3%.

Ensco International (ESV) is falling by -6% today after receiving a downgrade from Morgan Stanley. The analyst dropped the company to Underweight from Equal Weight with a price target of $65. Noble (NE) was the recipient of a Morgan Stanley upgrade to Overweight from Equal Weight. The stock is falling by less than -2.5% as a result.

In earnings news, Tidewater’s (TDW) fiscal first-quarter net income dropped to $44.5 million or 86 cents a share. The company made $84.8 million or $1.64 a share in the same period last year. Earnings per share were well below the Street’s $1.79 expectations, and the stock is off by -5%.

National Oilwell Varco (NOV) is also off by -5%, despite topping earnings expectations. Yesterday the company announced a -48% drop in second-quarter profit to $220 million or 53 cents a share. Adjusted EPS was 90 cents, 3 cents better than analysts’ estimates. Mark Brown at Pritchard Capital Partners told Bloomberg, “Even though they did beat the street expectations, the orders were very light this quarter.”

Announced yesterday, Smith International’s (SII) quarterly profit plummeted -87% to $24.4 million or 11 cents a share. Company CEO John Yearwood explained in a press release, “Our second quarter results reflect the unprecedented collapse in North American drilling activity which has led to lower volumes and a very competitive pricing environment.” Shares are off by over -5%.

Meanwhile, major players Transocean (RIG), Schlumberger (SLB), and Halliburton (HAL) are all down by over -3.5%.

As of this writing, the Oil Services and Equipment Stocks Index is just shy of the 50 worst-performing tickerspy Indexes over the last month, gaining just 2.8% during that period.

Investors can follow the Oil Services and Equipment Stocks Index and view related performance charts and metrics at tickerspy.com.

The dollar showed strength as emerging markets stocks took a dive, but the intrinsic value of your penny jar might be set to decline.

Ok, so pennies are mostly zinc these days, but their copper coating is about to get cheaper according to analysts. China has been a major driver in copper’s remarkable 80% yearly rally, but with stockpiles growing, a demand slump could be at hand. According to Bloomberg, inventories are up, copper-scrap exports to Asia are down, and industry experts are turning bearish. RBS Global Banking and Markets analyst Daniel Major told Reuters “A softening of risk appetite has turned market focus to concerns about oversupply in China and rising stockpiles.” Today, copper stocks are on a nosedive, some by more than -5%. Meanwhile the dollar is adding to its recent gains on the euro as investors flee from potentially perilous commodities.

As a whole, the Copper Stocks Index is down by -2.4% today. It is now lagging the S&P 500 by -3.4% over the last month.

Sterlite Industries India (SLT) is leading the drop, down by -7% today. The company’s main operations are in penny components copper and zinc, and aluminum, which has so far stayed out of the red.

Taseko Mines (TGB) fell by as much as -7% in this morning’s trade. The diversified mining and exploration company will report its second quarter results on August 14.

Phoenix, Arizona-based Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (FCX) is off by -5% today. The company has mines in North and South America, as well as Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. As of December 31, 2008 the company had 102 billion pounds of proven and probable copper reserves on its balance sheet. Fellow Phoenix-based copper company Southern Copper (PCU) is also down -5% on the day.

Madeco (OTC: MADKY) is trading 1% higher today, and is now less than -10% from its 52-week high. The company makes pipes, bars, coin blanks, and other goods from copper, and will benefit from cheaper input costs.

Those investors interested in hedging their commodity exposure should check out the Currency ETFs Index, where the PowerShares DB U.S. Dollar Index Bullish (UUP) and CurrencyShares British Pound Sterling Trust (FXB) ETFs are trading higher.

As of this writing, the Copper Stocks Index is just shy of the 40 worst-performing tickerspy Indexes over the last month, gaining 2.1%.