Analysts were expecting Limelight Networks, Inc. (LLNW) [Chart - News - Analysis] to report earnings of $-0.04 for last quarter, but LLNW beat expectations with actual earnings of $-0.01---3 cents above the consensus estimate. LLNW also issued earnings guidance for next quarter that is below current analyst expectations.

If you compare last quarter's earnings to the $-0.01 the company made per share during the same quarter a year ago, you can see that LLNW’s earnings are flat from a year ago.

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Also, if you compare LLNW's 11.75% projected earnings-per-share (EPS) growth rate for the next five years with the projected EPS growth rate of 16.12% for the Business Services industry as a whole during that same time frame, you can see that analysts expect LLNW to underperform the industry in the future---which is a bad sign for the stock.

Drilling down a little deeper into the Business Services industry, you can see how analysts believe LLNW will stack up against some of the other stocks in the industry, like Mastercard Incorporated (MA) [Chart - News - Analysis] and Thomson Reuters Corporation (TRI) [Chart - News - Analysis], in the future. Analysts believe MA's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 17.18% while TRI's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 8.00%.

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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