Analysts were expecting Stein Mart Inc. (SMRT) [Chart - News - Analysis] to report earnings of $-0.07 for last quarter, but SMRT beat expectations with actual earnings of $0.07---14 cents above the consensus estimate.

If you compare last quarter's earnings to the $-0.34 the company made per share during the same quarter a year ago, you can see that SMRT’s earnings are up this year.

{loadposition link_newslink1}

Also, if you compare SMRT's 15.00% projected earnings-per-share (EPS) growth rate for the next five years with the projected EPS growth rate of 13.47% for the Apparel Stores industry as a whole during that same time frame, you can see that analysts expect SMRT to outperform the industry in the future---which is a good sign for the stock.

{loadposition survey2}

Drilling down a little deeper into the Apparel Stores industry, you can see how analysts believe SMRT will stack up against some of the other stocks in the industry, like Ross Stores Inc. (ROST) [Chart - News - Analysis] and American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (AEO) [Chart - News - Analysis], in the future. Analysts believe ROST's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 15.08% while AEO's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 11.51%.

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}