Polypore International Misses on the Top and Bottom Lines

Polypore International (NYSE: PPO  ) reported earnings on Feb. 22. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Polypore International missed estimates on revenues and missed slightly on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins contracted, operating margins contracted, and net margins improved.

Revenue details
Polypore International reported revenue of $191.0 million. The 10 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see sales of $196.3 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 13% higher than the prior-year quarter's $169.5 million.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.58. The 10 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.59 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.56 for Q4 were 47% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.38 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 40.9%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 22.9%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 13.8%, 330 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $204.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.66.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $886.7 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.85.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 253 members out of 277 rating the stock outperform, and 24 members rating it underperform. Among 75 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 65 give Polypore International a green thumbs-up, and 10 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Polypore International is outperform, with an average price target of $68.30.

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