Horsehead Holding (Nasdaq: ZINC) reported earnings on Feb. 20. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins dropped, operating margins dropped, net margins grew.

Revenue details
 Horsehead Holding notched revenue of $106.4 million. The five analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see a top line of $106.8 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 6.1% higher than the prior-year quarter's $100.3 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 -$0.25. The five earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast -$0.05 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.25 for Q4 versus -$0.29 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 -6.2%, 330 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -17.9%, 280 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -10.5%, 220 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $114.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.02.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $481.9 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.31.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 730 members out of 747 rating the stock outperform, and 17 members rating it underperform. Among 244 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 243 give Horsehead Holding a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Horsehead Holding is buy, with an average price target of $13.60.

Is Horsehead Holding the right metals stock for you? Find out the best way to profit from inflation and gold with a little-known company we profile in, "The Tiny Gold Stock Digging Up Massive Profits." Click here for instant access to this free report.