Golden Star Resources (AMEX: GSS) reported earnings on March 5. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue expanded significantly. Non-GAAP earnings per share dropped to a loss. GAAP earnings per share didn't change.

Gross margins contracted, operating margins expanded, net margins were steady.

Revenue details
 Golden Star Resources logged revenue of $149.7 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw revenue of $155.5 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 26% higher than the prior-year quarter's $118.8 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 -$0.02. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.02 per share. Non-GAAP EPS were -$0.02 for Q4 against $0.02 per share for the prior-year quarter. GAAP EPS of $0.03 were the same as 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 1.5%, 930 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -4.2%, 670 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.1%, much about the same as the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $157.4 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.03.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $595.1 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.16.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 796 members out of 860 rating the stock outperform, and 64 members rating it underperform. Among 122 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 109 give Golden Star Resources 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 Golden Star Resources is hold, with an average price target of $1.91.

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