| Analysts were expecting Hewitt Associates Inc. (HEW) [Chart - News - Analysis] to report earnings of $0.63 for last quarter, but HEW beat expectations with actual earnings of $0.68---5 cents above the consensus estimate. HEW also issued earnings guidance for next quarter that is in line with current analyst expectations. If you compare last quarter's earnings to the $0.50 the company made per share during the same quarter a year ago, you can see that HEW’s earnings are up this year. {loadposition link_newslink1} | {loadposition livevideopromo} | | | | | | {loadposition homeaccordion2} | | | {loadposition contentad} | | | | | | | | Also, if you compare HEW's 12.83% projected earnings-per-share (EPS) growth rate for the next five years with the projected EPS growth rate of 15.35% for the Management Services industry as a whole during that same time frame, you can see that analysts expect HEW to underperform the industry in the future---which is a bad sign for the stock. Drilling down a little deeper into the Management Services industry, you can see how analysts believe HEW will stack up against some of the other stocks in the industry, like Duff & Phelps Corporation (DUF) [Chart - News - Analysis] and Express Scripts Inc. (ESRX) [Chart - News - Analysis], in the future. Analysts believe DUF's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 20.00% while ESRX's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 19.05%. 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} |