Stocks are higher as investors found some encouragement from the latest batch of earnings reports

A handful of banks, including Wells Fargo and Morgan Stanley, reported better results for the July-September period Wednesday. However both those banks also reported high loan losses, bringing fresh reminders that the broader economy is struggling even as the financial industry recovers.

Last week, Bank of America Corp., JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Citigroup Inc. all reported higher credit losses as consumers and businesses struggle to pay off their bills.

Many other companies were also reporting third-quarter results, not all of them positive. Continental Airlines Inc. cited lower revenue from business travelers as it reported a loss for the third quarter. Competitor AirTran Airways posted a profit, benefiting from the discount carrier’s low costs and focus on domestic routes where it believes it can make money.

On Tuesday, United Airlines said it is seeing early signs of a recovery in business travel as it reported a smaller-than-expected quarterly loss.

Investors are eager to see whether companies from a range of industries on continue to post better-than-expected earnings. Soft U.S. housing data on Tuesday squelched some of the market’s optimism, sending major indexes down about half a percent.

The Dow Jones industrial average is up 40.81 points, or 0.4 percent, to 10,082.29.

Yesterday’s Top Performing Small Cap Stock:

China Infrastructure Investment Corporation (NASDAQ: CIIC) was a eXpressIR.com top performer yesterday closing up over 16% on trading volume of 105,611 shares.

China Infrastructure Investment Corporation, incorporated in Nevada, USA and headquartered in Henan Province, China, focuses on investing in, constructing, operating and managing infrastructure development projects in China. The Company currently operates the Pinglin Expressway, a 106-kilometer (66 miles) dual carriageway four-lane toll road in the central province of Henan. The Expressway is an important passage from the northwest region to the southeast coastal region of China. The Company is actively pursuing additional development opportunities in infrastructure projects, including expressways, electricity, water supply and bio fuel facilities.

Today’s eXpressIR.com Hot Stock to Watch:

Visual Management Systems, Inc. (OTC BB: VMSY)

Visual Management Systems, Inc. (‘VMS’) provides video surveillance solutions to small and mid-size enterprises. VMS’s products and services help businesses, government agencies and educational institutions prevent crime, ensure safety, enhance productivity and improve service. Businesses using VMS technology include 7-11, Applebee’s, Best Western Hotels, Duncan Donuts, KFC, NAPA, Residence Inn, Taco Bell, TGI Fridays and more. Since its inception, VMS has been committed to developing and implementing industry-leading video security technology at affordable price points.