Analysts were expecting Chiquita Brands International Inc. (CQB) [Chart - News - Analysis] to report earnings of $-0.16 for last quarter, but CQB beat expectations with actual earnings of $0.16---32 cents above the consensus estimate.

If you compare last quarter's earnings to the $-0.13 the company made per share during the same quarter a year ago, you can see that CQB’s earnings are up this year.

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Also, if you compare CQB's 4.00% projected earnings-per-share (EPS) growth rate for the next five years with the projected EPS growth rate of 17.16% for the Farm Products industry as a whole during that same time frame, you can see that analysts expect CQB to underperform the industry in the future---which is a bad sign for the stock.

Drilling down a little deeper into the Farm Products industry, you can see how analysts believe CQB will stack up against some of the other stocks in the industry, like Agria Corporation (GRO) [Chart - News - Analysis] and Cresud S.A.C.I.F. y A. (CRESY) [Chart - News - Analysis], in the future. Analysts believe GRO's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 10.00% while CRESY's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 38.10%.

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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