AMCOL International (NYSE: ACO) reported earnings on Oct. 26. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), AMCOL International missed estimates on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins dropped, operating margins were steady, net margins contracted.

Revenue details
 AMCOL International booked revenue of $253.3 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected revenue of $263.9 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 2.1% higher than the prior-year quarter's $248.0 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 two earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.59 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.58 for Q3 were 3.3% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.60 per share. (The prior-year quarter included -$0.03 per share in earnings from discontinued operations.)

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 27.4%, 120 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 10.9%, about the same as the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 7.4%, 40 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $253.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.47.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.01 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.08.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 193 members out of 206 rating the stock outperform, and 13 members rating it underperform. Among 43 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 41 give AMCOL International a green thumbs-up, and two give 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 $31.00.

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