Analysts were expecting VCA Antech Inc. (WOOF) [Chart - News - Analysis] to report earnings of $0.42 for last quarter, and WOOF met expectations with actual earnings of $0.42---in line the consensus estimate. WOOF also issued earnings guidance for next quarter that is below current analyst expectations.

If you compare last quarter's earnings to the $0.42 the company made per share during the same quarter a year ago, you can see that WOOF’s earnings are flat from a year ago.

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Also, if you compare WOOF's 14.67% projected earnings-per-share (EPS) growth rate for the next five years with the projected EPS growth rate of 11.49% for the Personal Services industry as a whole during that same time frame, you can see that analysts expect WOOF to outperform the industry in the future---which is a good sign for the stock.

Drilling down a little deeper into the Personal Services industry, you can see how analysts believe WOOF will stack up against some of the other stocks in the industry, like Weight Watcher's International Inc. (WTW) [Chart - News - Analysis] and Hillenbrand, Inc. (HI) [Chart - News - Analysis], in the future. Analysts believe WTW's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 11.00% while HI's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 5.00%.

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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