Rentech (AMEX: RTK) reported earnings on Nov. 8. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew significantly and GAAP earnings per share expanded. The profit was a surprise, as analysts had predicted a loss.

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 Rentech logged revenue of $60.2 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see revenue of $44.2 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 56% higher than the prior-year quarter's $38.6 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 $0.02. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged -$0.02 per share. GAAP EPS were $0.02 for Q3 compared to -$0.27 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 58.2%, 1,330 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 27.8%, 2,220 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 7.1%, 16,010 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $60.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.00.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 353 members out of 404 rating the stock outperform, and 51 members rating it underperform. Among 55 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 36 give Rentech a green thumbs-up, and 19 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Rentech is outperform, with an average price target of $3.94.

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