After the close it reported eaernings +7% on +16% sales revenues for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 versus the year ago period. That was well below the +25% minimum earnings guideline (C criteria) and it raises some concerns, fundamentally, for this leader in the "Food - Packaged" industry group. Prior to the sub par results, what made it a worthly candidate was the fact that the company had reported earnings increases above the +25% minimum guideline (C criteria) in the past 3 quarterly comparisons through Sep '12.  It also has a good annual earnings (A criteria) history.  The number of top-rated funds owning its shares reportedly rose from 259 in Sep '12 to 267 in Dec '12, a slightly reassuring indication for the I criteria.

With the latest developments, disciplined investors might sooner consider looking at another high-ranked leader without fundamental flaws.  Even if bullish action may follow this latest news, members should keep in mind that the fact-based investment system's big winning models were usually companies that had a hot new product or service which was in demand - directly impacting sales and earnings comparisons. Investors can sometimes avoid getting bit with losses when the price/volume action does not indictate undeniable accumulation by the institutional crowd confirming that an entry makes sense and odds are most favorable.