Analysts were expecting Coinstar Inc. (CSTR) [Chart - News - Analysis] to report earnings of $0.25 for last quarter, but CSTR beat expectations with actual earnings of $0.31---6 cents above the consensus estimate. CSTR also issued earnings guidance for next quarter that is in line with current analyst expectations.

If you compare last quarter's earnings to the $0.20 the company made per share during the same quarter a year ago, you can see that CSTR’s earnings are up this year.

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Also, if you compare CSTR's 27.43% projected earnings-per-share (EPS) growth rate for the next five years with the projected EPS growth rate of 7.50% for the Business Equipment industry as a whole during that same time frame, you can see that analysts expect CSTR to outperform the industry in the future---which is a good sign for the stock.

Drilling down a little deeper into the Business Equipment industry, you can see how analysts believe CSTR will stack up against some of the other stocks in the industry, like Steelcase Inc. (SCS) [Chart - News - Analysis] and Diebold Inc. (DBD) [Chart - News - Analysis], in the future. Analysts believe SCS's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 11.00% while DBD's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 15.00%.

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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