It's really the last resort, but sometimes you need to do it: hire a collections agency. Of course, this is more likely now because of the grinding recession.

But, if you pick the wrong agency, you could do more harm than good. So to help things out, Tony Reisz has some helpful advice. He's the CEO of Ontario Systems, which provides technologies to nine of the ten largest collection agencies and has been in business for more than 30 years. Here's what he has to say:

Instigated by an agreement negotiated between the European Commission (EC) and Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), a new browser selection utility has just become available. Although the browser choice software is intended mainly to be distributed through the Windows update system familiar to Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) users, it is also available online for anyone to access.

It is reported that Microsoft IE currently holds approximately 62% of browser market share. That is a powerful position for the company to be in when considering that web browsers are absolutely essential pieces of software. That is, in part, why the EC put pressure on Microsoft to open up the playing field to lesser known browser utilities. With their demands, European regulators essentially cut Microsoft's exclusive IE umbilical cord in July of 2009.

The sequence of events in Iceland goes something like this. First, we have the online arm of Reykjavik Landsbanki, (known as Icesave). During the freewheeling heyday before the world financial meltdown, Iceland offered higher interest rates, which drew investors from all over the world. Some 400,000 British and Dutch investors put their money in Iceland's banks. Iceland's banking system collapsed, bringing down most of its banks, including Icesave.

The British and Dutch depositors were insured through each country's bank deposit guarantee after Icesave collapsed in October 2008 The two governments are now seeking to reclaim the money from Icesave. The amount is 3.9 billion euros.

Hi-Tech Pharmacal (HITK) is scheduled as one of the last companies to post a quarterly report this earnings season. However, if its quarterly report in December is any indication, this pick's earnings are well worth waiting for.

In its previous report, Hi-Tech's earnings rose 566.7% to $7.4 million, or 60 cents per share, compared with $1.1 million, or 9 cents per share, in the same quarter a year ago, while sales rose 62.9% in the same period.

Most of the S&P 500 have reported earnings results this quarter, but on tap this week are Brown-Forman Corp. (BF.B), National Semiconductor Corp. (NSM) and Pall Corp. (PLL), which are expected to post earnings growth, as well as H&R Block Inc. (HRB) and Kroger Co. (KR), which are not.

Most of the high expectations from analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters are still with retailers this week, though. Here's a look at a few of them.

China Green Agriculture (CGA) is an innovative agricultural company that helps farmers grow more crops without hurting the environment. The "green" fertilizer market in China is booming right now due to the fact that the country's population continues to grow alongside its economy. This means that more arable land is needed in the coming years to ensure that there's enough food available to sustain China's growing middle class.

CGA is a small foreign company without much of an analyst following, but you don't need estimates to see how great this pick is.

Three more banks failed last week, bringing 2010's total to 25. Already, this year's bank failures have matched the 2008 full-year total and exceeded the 2007 amount by a factor of greater than eight. The three regional banks that failed last week were in Florida, Illinois and Maryland, with close to a billion dollars in aggregate assets. According to the FDIC, the pace of bank failures could be set to accelerate in the next few months.

Sun American Bank, in Boca Raton, was taken over by the FDIC, with First-Citizens Bank & Trust, based in Raleigh, N.C., assuming the Florida banks assets and almost all of its deposits. Sun American had assets of $535.7 million and $443.5 million in deposits. Since July, First-Citizens has acquired the assets of four failed banks, the others being First Regional Bank of Los Angeles, Venture Ban (Lacey, Wash.) and Temecula Valley Bank (Temecula, Calif.).

SourceFire (FIRE) develops digital security and information management software for the government and private industry. Its innovative programming team is constantly upgrading features, staying one step ahead of the latest digital threats. Its customers have included PricewaterhouseCoopers, SAIC and Ernst & Young.

In its latest earnings report at the end of February, SourceFire posted earnings of 23 cents per share. That was significantly above Wall Street's target of 19 cents.

I haven't been bullish on Disney's (DIS) stock for quite a while. I own a long-term position, but I haven't added to it for years (I do, however, allow the annual dividend payout, too small that it is, to be reinvested). I'm waiting for the day when the shares finally break through $40. Disney hasn't seen $40 since, well, I don't even want to think how far back that price level goes.

This past week has been fascinating for the Mouse's investors. The media business was upgraded. There's been interesting activity going on in the company's options, as Schaeffer's Investment Research indicates. And the stock hit a fresh 52-week high of $33.22 on Friday; in fact, it closed at the 52-week high, right before the weekend, no less.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage on BloggingStocks:

• AutoZone Inc. (AZO) reported better-than-expected Q2 earnings, as well as sales and gross margin growth.
• Big Lots Inc. (BIG) beat Q4 earnings expectations, raised its guidance, and lifted its share repurchase program.
• Carmike Cinemas Inc. (CKEC) swung to better-than-expected profit in Q4 and reported strong sales growth.
• Ciena Corp. (CIEN) reported a bigger-than-expected Q1 net loss and some revenue growth, and offered guidance.
• DISH Network Corp. (DISH) posted a year-over-year increase in Q4 revenue but also a decline in per-share earnings.

I really wish I had several thousand dollars to play with right about now. If I did, I'd plunk the entire wad down on Medivation (MDVN) and let it ride.

Why would I do that? My reasoning is simple. I'd do that because the recent sell-off of Medivation, on the heels of a disappointing phase 3 study of the drug dimebon (latrepirdine) absolutely blew the floor out from under the company's shares. I'm telling you right now, I believe that sell-off has gone twice as deep as good sense can justify. At least, that's the way I see it.

Priceline.com (PCLN) has won over consumers by allowing buyers to name their own price for everything from airline tickets to rental cars to cruises. Priceline.com keeps the difference between the price paid by the individual and what Priceline.com paid for the ticket or hotel room.

In mid-February, Priceline said that its quarterly profit more than doubled with strong earnings of $78.5 million, and sales jumped by a whopping 33%.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage on BloggingStocks:

• Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A) announced improved results year over year, with book value up nearly 20%.
• BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. (BJ) Q4 earnings were in line with expectations but guidance for the year fell short.
• Cbeyond Inc. (CBEY) received an analyst's downgrade and lowered price target following its Q4 results.
• Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST) strong Q2 results fell short of analysts' estimates and shares declined.
• Dress Barn Inc. (DBRN) said it swung to a profit in Q2 and same-store sales increased, and it raised its outlook.

Credit Acceptance Corp. (CACC) works with more than 3,000 independent and franchised automobile dealers in the U.S. and provides capital for auto loans to people with substandard credit. It originates more than 1.7 million loans per year. As consumer confidence improves and pent up demand for automobiles is resulting in strong sales, CACC is a great way for us to cash in on this trend.

In a sign that the capital markets are functioning again, Credit Acceptance recently completed $110.5 million in asset-backed secured financing, so it is obvious that it's possible again to bundle and sell auto loans. The stock remains a great near-term buy.

Next: Small Cap #2: Priceline.com (PCLN)

At the time of this writing, Louis Navellier held shares of CACC in personal or client portfolios.

Many stocks have rallied significantly over the last year. In fact, if you bought almost any stock on March 9, 2009, you would have made a great deal of money. That was the low point for almost all stocks as the market gave in for its final capitulation and beat most of us over the head one last time with the heaviest frying pan it could find.

Stocks like Beazer Homes (BZH) and Ford (F) were selling for 24 cents and $1.65 last year. Other great bargains (in hindsight) were everywhere. It was as if the tree of stocks had been hit by a great gust of wind and all its fruit was lying on the ground. Everywhere you looked there were stocks selling for unbelievable prices. Of course, everywhere else you looked there was doom and gloom, ever increasing arguments that screamed "sell," not "buy." The world was definitely ending; capitalism was dead; there was no hope.