MeadWestvaco (NYSE: MWV) reported earnings on Jan. 25. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), MeadWestvaco beat expectations on revenues and missed on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue was unchanged, and earnings per share dropped to a loss.

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
MeadWestvaco recorded revenue of $1.5 billion. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected revenue of $1.5 billion. Sales were 13% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.5 billion.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions.

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.26. The 11 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.27 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS were -$0.09 for Q4 compared to $0.28 per share for the prior-year quarter.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Figures may be non-GAAP to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 19.9%, 540 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 4.6%, 690 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -1.0%, 450 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.4 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.31.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $6.2 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.94.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 92 members out of 111 rating the stock outperform, and 19 members rating it underperform. Among 50 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 44 give MeadWestvaco a green thumbs-up, and six give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on MeadWestvaco is outperform, with an average price target of $35.00.

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