Analysts were expecting Harsco Corp. (HSC) [Chart - News - Analysis] to report earnings of $0.47 for last quarter, but HSC beat expectations with actual earnings of $0.51---4 cents above the consensus estimate. HSC also issued earnings guidance for next quarter that is below current analyst expectations.

If you compare last quarter's earnings to the $0.99 the company made per share during the same quarter a year ago, you can see that HSC’s earnings are down this year.

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Also, if you compare HSC's 16.05% projected earnings-per-share (EPS) growth rate for the next five years with the projected EPS growth rate of 1.58% for the Steel & Iron industry as a whole during that same time frame, you can see that analysts expect HSC to outperform the industry in the future---which is a good sign for the stock.

Drilling down a little deeper into the Steel & Iron industry, you can see how analysts believe HSC will stack up against some of the other stocks in the industry, like Rio Tinto plc (RTP) [Chart - News - Analysis] and Ternium S.A. (TX) [Chart - News - Analysis], in the future. Analysts believe RTP's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 0.00% while TX's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 6.50%.

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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