LinkedIn Corp. (NYSE: LNKD) Earnings: 3 Figures to Watch

Analysts are projecting earnings per share (EPS) of $0.38 on revenue of $437.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2013. Those estimates represent growth of 8.5% in earnings and 44% in revenue, compared to the same quarter last year.

For the full year, LNKD is projected to report EPS of $1.61 on revenue of $1.52 billion. Those figures are up from 2012's EPS of $0.89 and $972 million in revenue.

LinkedIn has a good earnings record. It has beaten earnings projections for four consecutive quarters by an average of 43.5%.

EPS and revenue are important indicators, but LNKD investors will want to keep a close eye on these three figures as well...

In Q3, LNKD reported 259 million users, which was a gain of 8.8% from the previous quarter. Investors will want to see another increase of at least that much in today's report, which would put total users near 282 million.

LinkedIn's largest revenue generator is its "Talent Solutions" division, which accounted for nearly $225 million in revenue in Q3. At the time, that was a 62% year-over-year increase. The revenue growth rate from this division will be important to watch, as it accounted for 57% of the company's total revenue last quarter.

Another key to LinkedIn's earnings will be revenue from its newly created "Sponsored Updates" initiative. According to the company, sponsored updates "deliver relevant content to members from marketers in the LinkedIn desktop and mobile feed."

The sponsored updates program was launched in the third quarter, so this will be the first full quarter where financial information will be available. LNKD unveiled several new mobile apps for both users and recruiters in Q3, and their impact will also be important.

LNKD stock has climbed nearly 72% in the last year, and currently trades around $212 per share. The stock has pulled back a bit recently, down 2.6% in 2014.

The $212 seems high, especially when comparing it to LinkedIn's biggest competitors. Facebook Inc. (Nasdaq: FB) currently trades near $62, Twitter Inc. (NYSE: TWTR) near $66, and Monster Worldwide Inc. (NYSE: MWW) at just below $6.

Despite trading so high, analysts are still bullish on LNKD stock. According to Zacks Investment Research, 14 analysts list the stock as a "strong buy," one lists it as a "buy," and 14 rate LNKD a "hold." Currently no analysts recommend selling LNKD stock.

Even LNKD's 2.6% pullback in 2014 isn't terrible news - it's still outperforming the markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 7% year to date, the S&P 500 has slipped 5.5%, and the Nasdaq is down 4.2%.

With a strong earnings report, LNKD could recoup some of its 2014 losses and push higher. LNKD stock gained 0.96% Wednesday to $214.36.

Join the conversation on Twitter with #LinkedIn and $LNKD. And be sure to follow @moneymorning for frequent updates.

This tech spin-off company is about to hit Wall Street, and investors need to be ready. Here's the best way to profit now from some of the best tech spin-offs out there...