Analysts were expecting Stage Stores Inc. (SSI) [Chart - News - Analysis] to report earnings of $-0.21 for last quarter, but SSI beat expectations with actual earnings of $-0.19---2 cents above the consensus estimate. SSI also issued earnings guidance for next quarter that is in line with current analyst expectations.

If you compare last quarter's earnings to the $-0.19 the company made per share during the same quarter a year ago, you can see that SSI’s earnings are flat from a year ago.

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Also, if you compare SSI's 12.00% 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 SSI to underperform the industry in the future---which is a bad sign for the stock.

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Drilling down a little deeper into the Apparel Stores industry, you can see how analysts believe SSI 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

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