Compass Minerals International (NYSE: CMP) reported earnings on Feb. 7. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue dropped, and GAAP earnings per share dropped significantly.

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
Compass Minerals International chalked up revenue of $306.1 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $324.4 million. GAAP sales were 14% lower than the prior-year quarter's $356.3 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $1.65. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $1.67 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $1.31 for Q4 were 27% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.80 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 28.4%, 160 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 19.6%, 390 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 14.3%, 280 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $387.4 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.87.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.17 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.43.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 739 members rating the stock outperform and 26 members rating it underperform. Among 193 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 187 give Compass Minerals International 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 Compass Minerals International is hold, with an average price target of $82.

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