Universal Stainless & Alloy Products (Nasdaq: USAP) reported earnings on Jan. 29. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Universal Stainless & Alloy Products met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
Universal Stainless & Alloy Products reported revenue of $47.2 million. The one analyst polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for sales of $47.4 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 24% lower than the prior-year quarter's $62.2 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 $0.24. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.16 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.16 for Q4 were 73% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.59 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 12.7%, 640 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 3.7%, 420 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 2.3%, 450 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $62.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.27.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $273.2 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.18.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 381 members out of 403 rating the stock outperform, and 22 members rating it underperform. Among 85 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 84 give Universal Stainless & Alloy Products a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Universal Stainless & Alloy Products is outperform, with an average price target of $51.50.

Is Universal Stainless & Alloy Products the right metals stock for you? Look beyond the steel mill and find out the best way to profit from inflation and gold with a little-known company we profile in, "The Tiny Gold Stock Digging Up Massive Profits." Click here for instant access to this free report.