Can Chemical & Mining Co. of Chile Beat These Numbers?

Chemical & Mining Co. of Chile (NYSE: SQM) is expected to report Q1 earnings on May 22. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

The 10-second takeaway
Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict Chemical & Mining Co. of Chile's revenues will increase 7.0% and EPS will increase 5.3%.

The average estimate for revenue is $566.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.60.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Chemical & Mining Co. of Chile logged revenue of $601.0 million. GAAP reported sales were 12% higher than the prior-year quarter's $538.9 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
Last quarter, EPS came in at $0.54. GAAP EPS of $0.54 for Q4 were 10.0% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.60 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Recent performance
For the preceding quarter, gross margin was 39.0%, 120 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 32.3%, 680 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 23.6%, 590 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $2.48 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.45.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,399 members out of 1,427 rating the stock outperform, and 28 members rating it underperform. Among 208 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 201 give Chemical & Mining Co. of Chile a green thumbs-up, and seven give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Chemical & Mining Co. of Chile is outperform, with an average price target of $63.04.

Can your portfolio provide you with enough income to last through retirement? You'll need more than Chemical & Mining Co. of Chile. Learn how to maximize your investment income and "Secure Your Future With 9 Rock-Solid Dividend Stocks." Click here for instant access to this free report.

• Add Chemical & Mining Co. of Chile to My Watchlist.