American Superconductor (Nasdaq: AMSC) reported earnings on June 6. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q4), American Superconductor met expectations on revenues and exceeded expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
American Superconductor booked revenue of $28.6 million. The nine analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $28.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 52% lower than the prior-year quarter's $59.8 million.

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

EPS details
EPS came in at -$0.30. The nine earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted -$0.36 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.42 for Q4 compared to -$3.68 per share for the prior-year quarter.

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 12.4%, 17,850 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -88.7%, 13,430 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -73.9%, 23,590 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $29.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.25.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $135.5 million. The average EPS estimate is -$0.81.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 671 members out of 774 rating the stock outperform, and 103 members rating it underperform. Among 133 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 93 give American Superconductor a green thumbs-up, and 40 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on American Superconductor is hold, with an average price target of $6.36.

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