Century Aluminum (Nasdaq: CENX) reported earnings on Feb. 21. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue was unchanged. GAAP loss per share shrank.

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
 Century Aluminum logged revenue of $317.7 million. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected revenue of $318.2 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were the same as the prior-year quarter's.

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 -$0.08. The 10 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted -$0.14 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.08 for Q4 compared to -$0.32 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 5.2%, 950 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 0.8%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -2.2%, 760 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $328.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.03.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.37 billion. The average EPS estimate is $0.20.

Investor sentiment

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Century Aluminum is hold, with an average price target of $8.22.

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