Zoltek Companies (Nasdaq: ZOLT) reported earnings on May 10. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended March 31 (Q2), Zoltek Companies whiffed on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins dropped, operating margins dropped, net margins increased.

Revenue details
 Zoltek Companies reported revenue of $33.3 million. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see revenue of $37.5 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 29% 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 two earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.10 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.09 for Q2 were 10% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.10 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 21.1%, 220 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 5.1%, 700 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.9%, 280 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $40.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.12.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $156.4 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.44.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 719 members out of 763 rating the stock outperform, and 44 members rating it underperform. Among 140 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 127 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 hold, with an average price target of $10.50.

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