Steel Dynamics (Nasdaq: STLD) reported earnings on July 17. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended June 30 (Q2), Steel Dynamics met expectations on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins contracted across the board.

Revenue details
Steel Dynamics chalked up revenue of $1.80 billion. The 13 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for revenue of $1.81 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 5.7% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.91 billion.

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 14 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.13 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.13 for Q2 were 35% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.20 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 8.2%, 130 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 3.9%, 150 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.6%, 70 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.82 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.26.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $7.25 billion. The average EPS estimate is $0.87.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 926 members out of 964 rating the stock outperform, and 38 members rating it underperform. Among 170 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 162 give Steel Dynamics a green thumbs-up, and eight give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Steel Dynamics is outperform, with an average price target of $17.32.

Steel is for real, but gold is shiny and increaingly popular as a hedge among those who fear inflation. Should you move beyond Steel Dynamics and look into a precious metal play? Find out how Motley Fool Analysts think you can 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.