Analysts were expecting Williams-Sonoma Inc. (WSM) [Chart - News - Analysis] to report earnings of $0.05 for last quarter, but WSM beat expectations with actual earnings of $0.16---11 cents above the consensus estimate. WSM also issued earnings guidance for next quarter that is in line with current analyst expectations.

If you compare last quarter's earnings to the $-0.10 the company made per share during the same quarter a year ago, you can see that WSM’s earnings are up this year.

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Also, if you compare WSM's 9.80% projected earnings-per-share (EPS) growth rate for the next five years with the projected EPS growth rate of 12.30% for the Home Furnishing Stores industry as a whole during that same time frame, you can see that analysts expect WSM to underperform the industry in the future---which is a bad sign for the stock.

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Drilling down a little deeper into the Home Furnishing Stores industry, you can see how analysts believe WSM will stack up against some of the other stocks in the industry, like Kirkland's Inc. (KIRK) [Chart - News - Analysis] and Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc. (BBBY) [Chart - News - Analysis], in the future. Analysts believe KIRK's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 12.50% while BBBY's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 13.25%.

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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