Analysts were expecting EPIQ Systems Inc. (EPIQ) [Chart - News - Analysis] to report earnings of $0.18 for last quarter, but EPIQ missed expectations with actual earnings of $0.17---1 cent below the consensus estimate.

If you compare last quarter's earnings to the $0.15 the company made per share during the same quarter a year ago, you can see that EPIQ’s earnings are up this year.

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Also, if you compare EPIQ's 16.67% projected earnings-per-share (EPS) growth rate for the next five years with the projected EPS growth rate of 15.16% for the Business Software & Services industry as a whole during that same time frame, you can see that analysts expect EPIQ to outperform the industry in the future---which is a good sign for the stock.

Drilling down a little deeper into the Business Software & Services industry, you can see how analysts believe EPIQ will stack up against some of the other stocks in the industry, like Informatica Corp. (INFA) [Chart - News - Analysis] and Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. (CTSH) [Chart - News - Analysis], in the future. Analysts believe INFA's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 16.89% while CTSH's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 17.60%.

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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