GrafTech International (NYSE: GTI) reported earnings on Oct. 25. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), GrafTech International beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins contracted across the board.

Revenue details
 GrafTech International tallied revenue of $320.7 million. The six analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for a top line of $301.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 7.3% lower than the prior-year quarter's $345.8 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 $0.22. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.18 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.22 for Q3 were 21% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.28 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 24.9%, 190 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 13.6%, 300 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.2%, 250 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $320.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.23.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.18 billion. The average EPS estimate is $0.74.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 909 members out of 930 rating the stock outperform, and 21 members rating it underperform. Among 201 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 196 give GrafTech International a green thumbs-up, and five give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on GrafTech International is outperform, with an average price target of $14.30.