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

If you compare last quarter's earnings to the $0.21 the company made per share during the same quarter a year ago, you can see that NHWK’s earnings are down this year.

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Also, if you compare NHWK's 14.00% projected earnings-per-share (EPS) growth rate for the next five years with the projected EPS growth rate of 12.83% for the Specialized Health Services industry as a whole during that same time frame, you can see that analysts expect NHWK to outperform the industry in the future---which is a good sign for the stock.

Drilling down a little deeper into the Specialized Health Services industry, you can see how analysts believe NHWK will stack up against some of the other stocks in the industry, like IPC The Hospitalist Company, Inc. (IPCM) [Chart - News - Analysis] and MEDNAX, Inc. (MD) [Chart - News - Analysis], in the future. Analysts believe IPCM's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 23.75% while MD's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 14.13%.

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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