Rentech (AMEX: RTK) reported earnings on May 9. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Rentech whiffed on revenues and missed expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins shrank across the board.

Revenue details
 Rentech reported revenue of $59.7 million. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for sales of $91.8 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 55% higher than the prior-year quarter's $38.6 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 -$0.02. The two earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.00 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.02 for Q1 against -$0.01 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 38.2%, much worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 3.6%, much worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -8.8%, 30 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $122.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.04.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $408.6 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.06.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 353 members out of 403 rating the stock outperform, and 50 members rating it underperform. Among 52 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 33 give Rentech a green thumbs-up, and 19 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Rentech is buy, with an average price target of $4.14.

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