Amcol International (NYSE: ACO) reported earnings on Jan. 27. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
Amcol International notched revenue of $233.7 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $238.9 million. Sales were 4.6% higher than the prior-year quarter's $223.4 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions.

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.43. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.43 per share. GAAP EPS were $0.43 for Q4 versus -$0.30 per share for the prior-year quarter.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Figures may be non-GAAP to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 26.6%, 390 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 8.6%, 330 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 5.9%, 1,010 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $238.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.40.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.03 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.03.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 196 members out of 208 rating the stock outperform, and 12 members rating it underperform. Among 60 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 59 give Amcol International a green thumbs-up, and one gives it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Amcol International is hold, with an average price target of $30.67.

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