Analysts were expecting Harte-Hanks Inc. (HHS) [Chart - News - Analysis] to report earnings of $0.22 for last quarter, and HHS met expectations with actual earnings of $0.22---in line the consensus estimate.

If you compare last quarter's earnings to the $0.26 the company made per share during the same quarter a year ago, you can see that HHS’s earnings are down this year.

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Also, if you compare HHS's 4.00% projected earnings-per-share (EPS) growth rate for the next five years with the projected EPS growth rate of 9.68% for the Marketing Services industry as a whole during that same time frame, you can see that analysts expect HHS to underperform the industry in the future---which is a bad sign for the stock.

Drilling down a little deeper into the Marketing Services industry, you can see how analysts believe HHS will stack up against some of the other stocks in the industry, like Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc. (CCO) [Chart - News - Analysis] and Lamar Advertising Co. (LAMR) [Chart - News - Analysis], in the future. Analysts believe CCO's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 6.50% while LAMR's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 1.33%.

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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