Can Neenah Paper Beat These Numbers?

Neenah Paper (NYSE: NP  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Feb. 20. 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 Neenah Paper's revenues will expand 17.7% and EPS will increase 21.3%.

The average estimate for revenue is $194.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.57.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Neenah Paper booked revenue of $206.3 million. GAAP reported sales were 18% higher than the prior-year quarter's $174.9 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 $0.56. GAAP EPS of $0.54 for Q3 were 32% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.41 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 17.3%, 160 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 8.0%, 90 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 4.4%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $811.1 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.75.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 113 members out of 126 rating the stock outperform, and 13 members rating it underperform. Among 42 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 40 give Neenah Paper 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 Neenah Paper is outperform, with an average price target of $35.00.

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