Analysts were expecting Parexel International Corp. (PRXL) [Chart - News - Analysis] to report earnings of $0.17 for last quarter, but PRXL beat expectations with actual earnings of $0.21---4 cents above the consensus estimate. PRXL also issued earnings guidance for next quarter that is in line with current analyst expectations.

If you compare last quarter's earnings to the $0.23 the company made per share during the same quarter a year ago, you can see that PRXL’s earnings are down this year.

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Also, if you compare PRXL's 14.60% projected earnings-per-share (EPS) growth rate for the next five years with the projected EPS growth rate of 13.85% for the Research Services industry as a whole during that same time frame, you can see that analysts expect PRXL to outperform the industry in the future---which is a good sign for the stock.

Drilling down a little deeper into the Research Services industry, you can see how analysts believe PRXL will stack up against some of the other stocks in the industry, like Acacia Research Corporation (ACTG) [Chart - News - Analysis] and Landauer Inc. (LDR) [Chart - News - Analysis], in the future. Analysts believe ACTG's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 0.00% while LDR's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 9.00%.

Earnings season can be a volatile time in the stock market. Check out these videos and articles to be better prepared to take advantage of the large price moves that tend to accompany earnings announcements.

- Earnings Season is Here - Find Out How to Trade It

- Using Options to Trade Earnings

- Understanding Stock Analyst Research and Recommendations

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