Analysts were expecting Cutera Inc. (CUTR) [Chart - News - Analysis] to report earnings of $-0.06 for last quarter, but CUTR missed expectations with actual earnings of $-0.09---3 cents below the consensus estimate.

If you compare last quarter's earnings to the $-0.03 the company made per share during the same quarter a year ago, you can see that CUTR’s earnings are down this year.

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Also, if you compare CUTR's 16.00% projected earnings-per-share (EPS) growth rate for the next five years with the projected EPS growth rate of 13.56% for the Medical Appliances & Equipment industry as a whole during that same time frame, you can see that analysts expect CUTR to outperform the industry in the future---which is a good sign for the stock.

Drilling down a little deeper into the Medical Appliances & Equipment industry, you can see how analysts believe CUTR will stack up against some of the other stocks in the industry, like Hologic Inc. (HOLX) [Chart - News - Analysis] and Smith & Nephew plc (SNN) [Chart - News - Analysis], in the future. Analysts believe HOLX's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 11.33% while SNN's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 11.58%.

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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