Analysts were expecting Huntsman Corporation (HUN) [Chart - News - Analysis] to report earnings of $-0.08 for last quarter, but HUN missed expectations with actual earnings of $-0.24---16 cents below the consensus estimate.

If you compare last quarter's earnings to the $-0.01 the company made per share during the same quarter a year ago, you can see that HUN’s earnings are down this year.

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Also, if you compare HUN's 3.00% projected earnings-per-share (EPS) growth rate for the next five years with the projected EPS growth rate of 8.78% for the Chemicals - Major Diversified industry as a whole during that same time frame, you can see that analysts expect HUN to underperform the industry in the future---which is a bad sign for the stock.

Drilling down a little deeper into the Chemicals - Major Diversified industry, you can see how analysts believe HUN will stack up against some of the other stocks in the industry, like Sherwin-Williams Co. (SHW) [Chart - News - Analysis] and Ashland Inc. (ASH) [Chart - News - Analysis], in the future. Analysts believe SHW's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 10.44% while ASH's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 9.67%.

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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Dell, Inc. (DELL) was upgraded by AmTech Research from Neutral to Buy. The company is scheduled to release its earnings on Thursday.

Another tech company, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) was upgraded by Citigroup from Hold to Buy. The troubled chipmaker has been trading in the single digits all year and good favor with institutions could push the stock back toward $10.

Ashland, Inc. (ASH), was upgraded from Hold to Buy by KeyBanc Capital Markets.  The Company operates through its four segments: Ashland Performance Materials, Ashland Distribution, Valvoline and Ashland Water Technologies.

Brinker International, Inc. (EAT), operator of restaurants like Chili's and Romano's Macaroni Grill, was upgraded by Sterne Agee from Neutral to Buy.

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