Rocky Brands (RCKY) and Brinker Int'l (EAT)

The market had another tough session to begin the week, which you would expect when oil moves past $105 per barrel, The Dow declined nearly 80 points, or 0.66% Monday. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 was off 11.02 points, or 0.83%, and the NASDAQ moved lower by 39.04 points, or 1.4%.

Below are a couple of companies from the Zacks #1 Rank List that were able to put together some nice gains in an otherwise dreary session...

Footwear companies are doing pretty well right now; not only in the market but also on the Zacks #1 Rank List. There are 5 companies from the shoes & related apparel industry on today's list, and one of those names ended up being THE Top Performer to start the week.

Shares of Rocky Brands, Inc. (RCKY - Snapshot Report) increased 7.82% on Monday with volume that soared to 168,665 shares, compared to the daily average of around 50,300. In addition to its Zacks #1 Rank ('strong buy;), RCKY also enjoys a longer-term "Outperform" recommendation.

Rocky Brands is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of premium quality footwear and apparel marketed under a portfolio of well recognized brands names, including Rocky®, Georgia Boot®, Durango®, Lehigh®, and the licensed brands Michelin® and Mossy Oak®.

There are only 2 analysts covering this company right now for this year and next year each. However, the trajectory of their estimate revisions is to the upside. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2011 is now $1.29 per share, which is up by approximately 21% from a month ago.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2012 is $1.42 per share, which suggests year-over-year growth of 10%. The outlook has gained about 21.4% in 30 days from $1.17.

Last month, Rocky Brands reported its sixth straight quarter with a positive earnings surprise. It earned 41 cents per share for its fourth quarter, soaring past the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 105%. The result also easily surpassed last year's 24 cents.

Net sales were up 8.2% year over year to $66.7 million from $61.7 million.

The other 4 names from RCKY's industry on today's Zacks #1 Rank List include Adidas AG (ADDYY), Brown Shoe Company (BWS - Snapshot Report), Deckers Outdoor Corp. (DECK - Analyst Report) and Lacrosse Footwear, Inc. (BOOT - Snapshot Report).

You may have worked up quite an appetite by picking out, trying on and paying for your new pair of shoes. If so, then Brinker International, Inc. (EAT - Analyst Report) has got you covered. EAT is one of the world's leading casual dining restaurant companies. It operates Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy.

EAT is 1 of only 2 companies from the retail-restaurants industry on today’s Zacks #1 Rank List. The other company is Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (RRGB - Analyst Report).

You may remember that we mentioned Brinker Int'l as a Top Performer about a month ago. At that time, the company made the list because of a solid fiscal second-quarter report. This time however, EAT appears to have moved forward thanks to a brokerage firm upgrade.

Shares advanced 4.32% Monday. Volume skyrocketed north of 3.4 million shares, marking a substantial increase from the daily average of about 1.58 million.

Last month, we upgraded the company's long-term recommendation to "Outperform". We like the repositioning of the Chili's brand and appreciate EAT's goal to double EPS in five years. Also, the company's decisions to close underperforming stores, expand internationally and control costs helped it to weather the economic downturn.

Earnings estimates for this fiscal year and next haven't moved in the past 30 days, but continue to reflect the positive impact from analysts for its fiscal second-quarter report. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for this fiscal year, ending June 2011, is $1.48 per share, which is up 6.5% in 2 months.

For next fiscal year, ending June 2012, the Zacks Consensus Estimate is up 4.3% in 60 days to $1.71 per share, which also suggests year-over-year profit improvement of 15.5%.

If you'd like to learn more about EAT's fiscal second-quarter report, then read: Earnings Scorecard: Brinker.

Read the full analyst report on DECK

Read the full analyst report on RCKY

Read the full analyst report on EAT

Read the full analyst report on BWS

Read the full analyst report on BOOT

Read the full analyst report on RRGB

Read the full analyst report on ADDYY