Will Harsco Beat These Analyst Estimates?

Harsco (NYSE: HSC  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Feb. 14. 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 Harsco's revenues will wither -6.3% and EPS will compress -13.9%.

The average estimate for revenue is $742.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.31.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Harsco chalked up revenue of $756.8 million. GAAP reported sales were 12% lower than the prior-year quarter's $855.9 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, non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.39. GAAP EPS of $0.32 for Q3 were 18% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.39 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 23.4%, 180 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 6.9%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 3.5%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $3.02 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.21.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 275 members out of 285 rating the stock outperform, and 10 members rating it underperform. Among 70 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 69 give Harsco a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Harsco is outperform, with an average price target of $26.20.

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