Analysts were expecting Knoll Inc. (KNL) [Chart - News - Analysis] to report earnings of $0.11 for last quarter, but KNL beat expectations with actual earnings of $0.13---2 cents above the consensus estimate.

If you compare last quarter's earnings to the $0.52 the company made per share during the same quarter a year ago, you can see that KNL’s earnings are down this year.

{loadposition link_newslink1}

Also, if you compare KNL's 10.00% projected earnings-per-share (EPS) growth rate for the next five years with the projected EPS growth rate of 5.25% for the Business Equipment industry as a whole during that same time frame, you can see that analysts expect KNL to outperform the industry in the future---which is a good sign for the stock.

Drilling down a little deeper into the Business Equipment industry, you can see how analysts believe KNL will stack up against some of the other stocks in the industry, like Xerox Corp. (XRX) [Chart - News - Analysis] and Pitney Bowes Inc. (PBI) [Chart - News - Analysis], in the future. Analysts believe XRX's earnings are going to grow at a rate of -3.50% while PBI's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 1.00%.

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

{loadposition link_nowtime}

{loadposition followus}