Analysts were expecting Graco Inc. (GGG) [Chart - News - Analysis] to report earnings of $0.19 for last quarter, but GGG beat expectations with actual earnings of $0.29---10 cents above the consensus estimate.

If you compare last quarter's earnings to the $0.54 the company made per share during the same quarter a year ago, you can see that GGG’s earnings are down this year.

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Also, if you compare GGG's -2.00% projected earnings-per-share (EPS) growth rate for the next five years with the projected EPS growth rate of 11.24% for the Diversified Machinery industry as a whole during that same time frame, you can see that analysts expect GGG to underperform the industry in the future---which is a bad sign for the stock.

Drilling down a little deeper into the Diversified Machinery industry, you can see how analysts believe GGG will stack up against some of the other stocks in the industry, like Kubota Corp. (KUB) [Chart - News - Analysis] and Ingersoll-Rand Plc (IR) [Chart - News - Analysis], in the future. Analysts believe KUB's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 0.00% while IR's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 9.17%.

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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Analysts were expecting Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) [Chart - News - Analysis] to report earnings of $0.53 for last quarter, but ITW beat expectations with actual earnings of $0.60---7 cents above the consensus estimate. ITW also issued earnings guidance for next quarter that is in line with current analyst expectations.

If you compare last quarter's earnings to the $0.85 the company made per share during the same quarter a year ago, you can see that ITW’s earnings are down this year.

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Also, if you compare ITW's 8.51% projected earnings-per-share (EPS) growth rate for the next five years with the projected EPS growth rate of 11.29% for the Diversified Machinery industry as a whole during that same time frame, you can see that analysts expect ITW to underperform the industry in the future---which is a bad sign for the stock.

Drilling down a little deeper into the Diversified Machinery industry, you can see how analysts believe ITW will stack up against some of the other stocks in the industry, like Kubota Corp. (KUB) [Chart - News - Analysis] and Ingersoll-Rand Plc (IR) [Chart - News - Analysis], in the future. Analysts believe KUB's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 0.00% while IR's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 9.17%.

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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