Balchem (Nasdaq: BCPC) reported earnings on May 3. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Balchem beat slightly on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
 Balchem logged revenue of $84.7 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $83.1 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 11% higher than the prior-year quarter's $76.2 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 $0.36. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.37 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.36 for Q1 were 16% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.31 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 28.6%, 80 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 18.7%, 80 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 12.9%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $86.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.40.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $340.7 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.60.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 344 members out of 352 rating the stock outperform, and eight members rating it underperform. Among 91 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 90 give Balchem 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 Balchem is outperform, with an average price target of $44.67.

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