Zoltek Companies (Nasdaq: ZOLT) reported earnings on Feb. 1. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q1), Zoltek Companies whiffed on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

Margins shrank across the board.

Revenue details
 Zoltek Companies reported revenue of $35.9 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see revenue of $43.0 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 24% lower than the prior-year quarter's $47.0 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 $0.09. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.13 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.09 for Q1 were 68% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.28 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 25.3%, 270 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 10.2%, 720 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.3%, 1,230 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $39.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.10.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $171.3 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.50.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 721 members out of 763 rating the stock outperform, and 42 members rating it underperform. Among 158 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 145 give Zoltek Companies a green thumbs-up, and 13 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Zoltek Companies is outperform, with an average price target of $8.50.

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