To see how improving net margin separates winning companies from those merely surviving, there’s no better place to look than food industry.

This industry is getting squeezed, as spiraling commodities prices increase input costs. And few firms are managing to pass those extra costs onto cash-strapped consumers.

One company is bucking that trend, says Lynn Carpenter in Investor’s Daily Edge. Spam-maker Hormel (NYSE:HRL) reported a 17% improvement on its net profits from a year ago…

It’s not easy to ignore your emotions. But that’s exactly you need to do to profit in a bear market, says Lynn Carpenter in Investor’s Daily Edge.

So forget about sensational headlines about the mortgage crisis and high oil prices. And don’t dwell on whether earnings match market expectations. Analyzing the business – and not market sentiment – is always the right strategy for value investors.

And if you have to focus on one thing during earnings season, make it profit margin trends…

Once again gold is on the stock market’s center stage, and that should catch your attention whether you love it, hate it, or don’t normally care about gold at all.

Editor’s Note: Everyone is talking about the Dow entering bear territory. But how can investors profit in a bear market? You could try walking like a master and try to emulate says Lynn Carpenter. Be like Buffett. Play it long.