Southern Copper (NYSE: SCCO) reported earnings on Feb. 1. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Southern Copper met expectations on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins dropped, operating margins dropped, net margins were steady.

Revenue details
Southern Copper reported revenue of $1.65 billion. The six analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected sales of $1.64 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 1.1% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.67 billion.

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 $0.63. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.63 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.63 for Q4 were 1.6% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.64 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 57.1%, 380 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 49.2%, 480 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 32.2%, about the same as the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.65 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.62.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $6.89 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.62.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 4,150 members out of 4,315 rating the stock outperform, and 165 members rating it underperform. Among 1,005 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 974 give Southern Copper a green thumbs-up, and 31 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Southern Copper is hold, with an average price target of $38.08.

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