Solazyme (Nasdaq: SZYM) reported earnings on Nov. 14. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), Solazyme met expectations on revenues and exceeded expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue dropped and GAAP loss per share increased.

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
 Solazyme reported revenue of $8.6 million. The 10 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for a top line of $8.6 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 4.0% lower than the prior-year quarter's $8.9 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 -$0.32. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated -$0.34 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.37 for Q3 versus -$0.24 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 84.5%, 930 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -269.5%, 11,270 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -262.2%, 10,460 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $11.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.33.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $47.2 million. The average EPS estimate is -$1.16.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 335 members out of 356 rating the stock outperform, and 21 members rating it underperform. Among 68 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 58 give Solazyme a green thumbs-up, and 10 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Solazyme is outperform, with an average price target of $18.50.

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