Will These Numbers from Compass Minerals International Be Good Enough for You?

Compass Minerals International (NYSE: CMP  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Feb. 6. 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 Compass Minerals International's revenues will drop -11.3% and EPS will decrease -36.4%.

The average estimate for revenue is $271.4 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.05.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Compass Minerals International reported revenue of $181.0 million. GAAP reported sales were 21% lower than the prior-year quarter's $229.1 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, non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.31. GAAP EPS of $0.28 for Q3 were 73% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.03 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 20.0%, 1,100 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 7.8%, 1,340 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 5.2%, 990 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $957.2 million. The average EPS estimate is $3.12.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 761 members out of 788 rating the stock outperform, and 27 members rating it underperform. Among 184 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 176 give Compass Minerals International 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 Compass Minerals International is hold, with an average price target of $77.43.

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