What to Expect from Balchem

Balchem (Nasdaq: BCPC  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Feb. 21. 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 Balchem's revenues will increase 2.8% and EPS will grow 9.7%.

The average estimate for revenue is $71.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.34.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Balchem notched revenue of $75.1 million. GAAP reported sales were 0.9% higher than the prior-year quarter's $74.4 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, EPS came in at $0.36. GAAP EPS of $0.36 were the same as the prior-year quarter.

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 31.1%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 21.6%, 120 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 14.5%, about the same as the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $302.0 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.33.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 343 members out of 351 rating the stock outperform, and eight members rating it underperform. Among 96 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 95 give Balchem 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 Balchem is outperform, with an average price target of $37.00.

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