Analysts were expecting SonicWALL, Inc. (SNWL) [Chart - News - Analysis] to report earnings of $0.09 for last quarter, but SNWL beat expectations with actual earnings of $0.10---1 cent above the consensus estimate. SNWL also issued earnings guidance for next quarter that is in line with current analyst expectations.

If you compare last quarter's earnings to the $0.08 the company made per share during the same quarter a year ago, you can see that SNWL’s earnings are up this year.

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Also, if you compare SNWL's 12.00% projected earnings-per-share (EPS) growth rate for the next five years with the projected EPS growth rate of 16.52% for the Internet Software & Services industry as a whole during that same time frame, you can see that analysts expect SNWL to underperform the industry in the future---which is a bad sign for the stock.

Drilling down a little deeper into the Internet Software & Services industry, you can see how analysts believe SNWL will stack up against some of the other stocks in the industry, like VeriSign Inc. (VRSN) [Chart - News - Analysis] and Shanda Interactive Entertainment Ltd. (SNDA) [Chart - News - Analysis], in the future. Analysts believe VRSN's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 14.22% while SNDA's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 18.73%.

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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