Clearwater Paper (NYSE: CLW) reported earnings on Oct. 24. Here are the numbers you need to know.
The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), Clearwater Paper met expectations on revenues and whiffed on earnings per share.
Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue dropped and GAAP earnings per share increased significantly.
Margins expanded across the board.
Revenue details
Clearwater Paper logged revenue of $480.2 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see revenue of $477.2 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 4.2% lower than the prior-year quarter's $501.1 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 $0.80. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.89 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.80 for Q3 were 116% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.37 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 14.7%, 430 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 8.3%, 320 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 4.0%, 230 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.
Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $467.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.80.
Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.87 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.99.
Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 61 members out of 72 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among 18 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 18 give Clearwater Paper a green thumbs-up, and give it a red thumbs-down.
Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Clearwater Paper is outperform, with an average price target of $45.13.
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