| Analysts were expecting AFLAC Inc. (AFL) [Chart - News - Analysis] to report earnings of $1.20 for last quarter, but AFL beat expectations with actual earnings of $1.25---5 cents above the consensus estimate. AFL also issued earnings guidance for next quarter that is in line with current analyst expectations. If you compare last quarter's earnings to the $1.02 the company made per share during the same quarter a year ago, you can see that AFL’s earnings are up this year. Check this out (it's free!): Stocks You Should Be Watching Right Now; How to Make Good Picks
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| | | | | | | | Also, if you compare AFL's 13.72% projected earnings-per-share (EPS) growth rate for the next five years with the projected EPS growth rate of 11.46% for the Accident & Health Insurance industry as a whole during that same time frame, you can see that analysts expect AFL to outperform the industry in the future---which is a good sign for the stock. Drilling down a little deeper into the Accident & Health Insurance industry, you can see how analysts believe AFL will stack up against some of the other stocks in the industry, like StanCorp Financial Group Inc. (SFG) [Chart - News - Analysis] and Assurant Inc. (AIZ) [Chart - News - Analysis], in the future. Analysts believe SFG's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 9.00% while AIZ's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 8.75%. 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 More...
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