Zoltek Companies (Nasdaq: ZOLT) reported earnings on Nov. 27. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q4), Zoltek Companies missed estimates on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue increased slightly and GAAP earnings per share didn't move.

Gross margins grew, operating margins grew, net margins contracted.

Revenue details
 Zoltek Companies reported revenue of $44.2 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected revenue of $46.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 2.5% higher than the prior-year quarter's $43.1 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 $0.12. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.14 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.12 were the same as 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 23.1%, 750 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 12.0%, 970 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.6%, 100 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $45.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.13.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $184.5 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.54.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 716 members out of 758 rating the stock outperform, and 42 members rating it underperform. Among 142 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 128 give Zoltek Companies a green thumbs-up, and 14 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Zoltek Companies is outperform, with an average price target of $11.50.