Stillwater Mining (NYSE: SWC) reported earnings on Feb. 27. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Stillwater Mining missed estimates on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue shrank significantly. GAAP earnings per share shrank significantly.

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

Revenue details
 Stillwater Mining chalked up revenue of $203.4 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $217.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 22% lower than the prior-year quarter's $259.7 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 $0.13. The five earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.07 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.13 for Q4 were 38% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.21 per share.

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 23.5%, 200 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 9.6%, 150 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.3%, 120 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $232.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.07.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $912.6 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.49.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 625 members out of 674 rating the stock outperform, and 49 members rating it underperform. Among 137 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 124 give Stillwater Mining a green thumbs-up, and 13 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Stillwater Mining is outperform, with an average price target of $13.76.

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