Analysts were expecting Avocent Corporation (AVCT) [Chart - News - Analysis] to report earnings of $0.41 for last quarter, but AVCT beat expectations with actual earnings of $0.45---4 cents above the consensus estimate.

If you compare last quarter's earnings to the $0.67 the company made per share during the same quarter a year ago, you can see that AVCT’s earnings are down this year.

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Also, if you compare AVCT's 15.00% projected earnings-per-share (EPS) growth rate for the next five years with the projected EPS growth rate of 8.15% for the Computer Peripherals industry as a whole during that same time frame, you can see that analysts expect AVCT to outperform the industry in the future---which is a good sign for the stock.

Drilling down a little deeper into the Computer Peripherals industry, you can see how analysts believe AVCT will stack up against some of the other stocks in the industry, like AU Optronics Corp. (AUO) [Chart - News - Analysis] and Logitech International SA (LOGI) [Chart - News - Analysis], in the future. Analysts believe AUO's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 0.00% while LOGI's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 12.15%.

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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