Olin Beats on Both Top and Bottom Lines

Olin (NYSE: OLN  ) reported earnings on Jan. 29. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue expanded significantly and GAAP earnings per share grew significantly.

Gross margins dropped, operating margins increased, net margins expanded.

Revenue details
Olin reported revenue of $587.6 million. The nine analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $540.4 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 32% higher than the prior-year quarter's $445.8 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 $0.44. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.35 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.43 for Q4 were 87% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.23 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 17.0%, 40 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 11.6%, 330 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 5.9%, 170 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $593.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.54.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $2.43 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.18.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 567 members out of 583 rating the stock outperform, and 16 members rating it underperform. Among 139 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 137 give Olin a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Olin is hold, with an average price target of $22.50.

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