Analysts were expecting Vocus Inc. (VOCS) [Chart - News - Analysis] to report earnings of $0.16 for last quarter, but VOCS beat expectations with actual earnings of $0.17---1 cent above the consensus estimate. VOCS also issued earnings guidance for next quarter that is in line with current analyst expectations.

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

{loadposition link_newslink1}

Also, if you compare VOCS's 19.10% 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 VOCS to outperform the industry in the future---which is a good sign for the stock.

Drilling down a little deeper into the Internet Software & Services industry, you can see how analysts believe VOCS will stack up against some of the other stocks in the industry, like Symantec Corporation (SYMC) [Chart - News - Analysis] and Citrix Systems, Inc. (CTXS) [Chart - News - Analysis], in the future. Analysts believe SYMC's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 9.69% while CTXS's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 11.33%.

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}