Sensient Technologies (NYSE: SXT) reported earnings on April 20. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
Sensient Technologies tallied revenue of $365.7 million. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $358.1 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 4.6% higher than the prior-year quarter's $349.7 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 $0.58. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.57 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.58 for Q1 were 9.4% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.53 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 31.5%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 12.7%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 7.9%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.70.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.49 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.55.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 74 members out of 79 rating the stock outperform, and five members rating it underperform. Among 24 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 23 give Sensient Technologies 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 Sensient Technologies is hold, with an average price target of $40.50.

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