CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS) unveils its next round of earnings this Thursday, August 4, 2011. Get prepared with Benzinga's ultimate preview for CVS Caremark's second quarter earnings.

Earnings and Revenue:

Analysts are predicting an EPS reading of 64 cents/share and revenues of $26.76 billion. Wall Street will be looking to see how this quarter's numbers compare to the year-ago quarter's positive EPS of 65 cents/share on revenues of $24.01 billion. We'll have to wait for Thursday to see if CVS Caremark reports a decline in EPS and a boost in revenue from the year-ago quarter, as analysts are predicting.

Here's how the company's reported EPS has stacked up against analyst estimates in the past:

Stock Performance:

As of July 29, 2011, CVS Caremark's current share price was $36.35. Since January 1st, shares of CVS Caremark have given investors a return of 5.6%. For a full 12 months, the return has risen by 19%. Given that these returns are generally positive, long-term shareholders are probably satisfied going into this earnings release.

• Long-term shareholders are already enjoying 12-month gains prior to the announcement

Average Stock Rating:

The average rating by analysts for CVS Caremark is a Moderate Buy. Over the past three months this rating's strength has declined slightly.

Competitors:

Want to check out the performance of CVS Caremark closest competitors? Take a look at some of the company's peers in the consumer staples sector.

• GNC Holdings (NYSE: GNC): Moderate Buy with a $0.39 recent quarter EPS
• Medco Health Solutions (NYSE: MHS): Hold with a $0.96 recent quarter EPS
• BioScrip (BIOS): Moderate Buy with a $0.07 recent quarter EPS

The retail-drug stores company's industry has seen price/earnings growth of 1.4% during the current fiscal year.

Finally, a description of the company's main areas of operation: CVS Caremark provides prescriptions and related health care services and products.

Take Action:

There is your peek into CVS Caremark's upcoming earnings numbers, including some competitors to watch around the time of the announcement. Check back in with us after the announcement for a full recap of the announcement. In the meantime, here are some links to explore today.

• To see up-to-date news on CVS Caremark, click here
• To see other trading ideas, click here
• To see other company earnings recaps, click here