Analysts were expecting Eclipsys Corp. (ECLP) [Chart - News - Analysis] to report earnings of $0.13 for last quarter, but ECLP beat expectations with actual earnings of $0.14---1 cent above the consensus estimate. ECLP also issued earnings guidance for next quarter that is in line with current analyst expectations.

If you compare last quarter's earnings to the $0.30 the company made per share during the same quarter a year ago, you can see that ECLP’s earnings are down this year.

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Also, if you compare ECLP's 18.82% projected earnings-per-share (EPS) growth rate for the next five years with the projected EPS growth rate of 18.31% for the Healthcare Information Services industry as a whole during that same time frame, you can see that analysts expect ECLP to outperform the industry in the future---which is a good sign for the stock.

Drilling down a little deeper into the Healthcare Information Services industry, you can see how analysts believe ECLP will stack up against some of the other stocks in the industry, like MedQuist Inc. (MEDQ) [Chart - News - Analysis] and Quality Systems Inc. (QSII) [Chart - News - Analysis], in the future. Analysts believe MEDQ's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 0.00% while QSII's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 18.54%.

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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