Large U.S. companies are nearly halfway through earnings-reporting season, and predictably, the news is mostly good. Despite some high-profile forecast misses from Apple (AAPL) and Amazon (AMZN), only 21% of companies have done worse than projected. That's more ordinary than it sounds, because managers have become skilled at setting expectations low.

Industrial firms are doing especially well, even by the standards of Wall Street's low-hurdle game. Of the 31 S&P 500 manufacturers that have reported so far, fewer than 10% have missed the mark. Just this week, Caterpillar (CAT) and Boeing (BA) topped forecasts by 5% and 33%, respectively.

Perhaps analysts have misjudged the economy's bright points. Companies that sell consumer non-essentials were projected to report third-quarter earnings growth of nearly double that of manufacturers. But whereas third-quarter estimates for industrials have been rising since summer, those for "consumer discretionary" companies have been slipping.

There's good reason for that. U.S. exports have been near record highs in recent months. And at home, consumer mood has worsened. On Tuesday, the Conference Board's consumer confidence index dipped well below forecasts to its lowest point since March 2009, when the stock market hits its financial crisis bottom.

For investors, it's not too late to shop for industrial stocks. Among S&P 500 companies, the median manufacturing stock is about 7% cheaper than the index median relative to current-year earnings forecasts. Below are listed three that have yet to report financial results during the current earnings season.

Deere

Earnings date: Nov. 23

Shares of tractor maker Deere (DE) have multiplied about 10 times in price over the past two decades. The company has cashed in on rising standards of living overseas, higher crop prices and a boom in farming. Shares sell for just under 12 times earnings and carry a dividend yield of 2.2%.

Tyco International

Earnings date: Nov. 16

Tyco International (TYC) is a conglomerate, a term reserved for companies whose business units are so mismatched they defy other categorization. Its stock sits about where it did 15 years ago. Last month, management announced plans to split the company in three according to its business lines: commercial security, home security and industrial valves. Analysts say the move will make it easier for a suitor to buy one or more of the independent companies, perhaps fetching a higher price for the shares. The restructuring is expected to be completed by the end of next year. Shares sell now for 14 times earnings with a 2.2% dividend yield.

Fluor

Earnings date: Nov. 3

Fluor (FLR) builds complex structures like factories, power plants and oil refineries. Its profits are expected to jump by nearly 50% this year. In the second quarter, the company's backlog of business and new contract awards both hit records. Just 19% of the current backlog is for U.S. customers. Shares sell for 16 times earnings and have a modest dividend yield of 0.9%.