FMC (NYSE: FMC) reported earnings on Feb. 6. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), FMC met expectations on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

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

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

Revenue details
FMC tallied revenue of $1.00 billion. The nine analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see revenue of $1.01 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 10% higher than the prior-year quarter's $908.6 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 $0.81. The 12 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.81 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.74 for Q4 were 37% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.54 per share. (The prior-year quarter included -$0.06 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 34.1%, 180 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 16.7%, 10 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 10.2%, 160 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.01 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.07.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $4.09 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.98.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 400 members out of 419 rating the stock outperform, and 19 members rating it underperform. Among 90 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 85 give FMC a green thumbs-up, and five give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on FMC is outperform, with an average price target of $62.00.

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