While Wall Street always likes to see strong growth, right now the priority is on stability and profitability through what could be a weak period ahead for the economy. Procter & Gamble said in mid-January that organic sales rose 5% in the most recent quarter on top of big gains a year earlier. Likewise, Costco's same-store sales were up an impressive 7% in the quarter that ended in mid-February as shoppers look to stretch their shopping budgets.