It may only be Friday, but my mind is already on the long weekend - I can’t wait till that closing bell! I have no specific plans, but (since my wife is our event planner), I can never be sure. I sense I'll be on grill duty. 

Asian stocks ended lower. The Hang Seng was down 0.8% and the Nikkei was down 0.41%. European stocks, however, were in the green earlier this morning. And here in the US, we're currently trading higher.

Here’s what I’m focused on this superfine Friday morning:

Aeropostale (ARO):
 The New York-based retailer was out with its first-quarter earnings last night.

Its adjusted earnings came in at $0.49, which was, to its credit, a penny better than expected. And there are some other things to like here, as well:

1. Its same-store sales were up 11% - not too shabby. Additionally, its sales were up a smidge better than 21%, and the top-line number was also north of estimates. 

2. It offered up guidance of $0.43 to $0.45 for the second quarter. Note the estimate I’m seeing is for $0.37. With any luck, we may see estimates cranking up.

3. At about 12.6 times the current-year estimate of $2.59, I think the stock is worth trying on.

Insiders - any plans to buy the stock in the open market?

Gap (GPS):
 It counts, right? 

Take a gander at the retail chain’s first-quarter results.

It put up $0.31 a share, which was below the $0.34 it reported in the comparable period last year, but was a penny north of expectations. Some quick thoughts:

1. The overall performance was okay. A “beat” tends to draw some investor eyeballs. But revenues were down from the comparable period last year and comps were down 8%, so it’s hard to get too excited.

2. Insiders - how about trying on some shares for size? 

3. The company has done a good job over the last year, beating Street earnings expectations quarter in and quarter out. There’s something to be said for that.

4. Overall, the value seems okay. It trades at about 13.5 times this year’s estimate (currently $1.18). The dividend is decent, not fabulous. The forward yield is a little better than 2% at this point.

I think these guys have the potential to ultimately make a nice go of it, but I’m left wondering if this is the right entry point.