Analysts were expecting JMP Group Inc. (JMP) [Chart - News - Analysis] to report earnings of $0.11 for last quarter, but JMP beat expectations with actual earnings of $0.17---6 cents above the consensus estimate.

If you compare last quarter's earnings to the $-0.20 the company made per share during the same quarter a year ago, you can see that JMP’s earnings are up this year.

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Also, if you compare JMP's 12.00% projected earnings-per-share (EPS) growth rate for the next five years with the projected EPS growth rate of 15.61% for the Investment Brokerage - National industry as a whole during that same time frame, you can see that analysts expect JMP to underperform the industry in the future---which is a bad sign for the stock.

Drilling down a little deeper into the Investment Brokerage - National industry, you can see how analysts believe JMP will stack up against some of the other stocks in the industry, like SEI Investments Co. (SEIC) [Chart - News - Analysis] and MF Global Ltd (MF) [Chart - News - Analysis], in the future. Analysts believe SEIC's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 12.33% while MF's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 17.00%.

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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