Schnitzer Steel Industries (Nasdaq: SCHN) reported earnings on Oct. 25. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Aug. 31 (Q4), Schnitzer Steel Industries beat expectations on revenues and exceeded expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
 Schnitzer Steel Industries chalked up revenue of $762.3 million. The six analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for a top line of $721.9 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 29% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.08 billion.

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 $0.10. The seven earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.00 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.02 for Q4 compared to $1.31 per share for the prior-year quarter.

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 6.5%, 410 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 0.4%, 470 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -0.1%, 350 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $764.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.29.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $3.37 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.03.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 356 members out of 377 rating the stock outperform, and 21 members rating it underperform. Among 87 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 84 give Schnitzer Steel Industries a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Schnitzer Steel Industries is underperform, with an average price target of $31.88.

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