Analysts were expecting LCA-Vision Inc. (LCAV) [Chart - News - Analysis] to report earnings of $-0.30 for last quarter, but LCAV missed expectations with actual earnings of $-1.07---77 cents below the consensus estimate.

If you compare last quarter's earnings to the $-0.25 the company made per share during the same quarter a year ago, you can see that LCAV’s earnings are down this year.

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Also, if you compare LCAV's 13.67% projected earnings-per-share (EPS) growth rate for the next five years with the projected EPS growth rate of 18.51% for the Medical Practitioners industry as a whole during that same time frame, you can see that analysts expect LCAV to underperform the industry in the future---which is a bad sign for the stock.

Drilling down a little deeper into the Medical Practitioners industry, you can see how analysts believe LCAV will stack up against some of the other stocks in the industry, like Transcend Services, Inc. (TRCR) [Chart - News - Analysis] and Integramed America Inc. (INMD) [Chart - News - Analysis], in the future. Analysts believe TRCR's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 0.00% while INMD's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 24.00%.

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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