For the quarter ended September 2026, Avient (AVNT Quick QuoteAVNT - Free Report) reported revenue of $891.2 million, up 10.5% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $0.86, compared to $0.70 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported revenue represents a surprise of +4.12% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $855.93 million. With the consensus EPS estimate being $0.81, the EPS surprise was +6.17%.

While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.

Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.

Here is how Avient performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

• Sales- Color, Additives and Inks: $551.5 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $539.95 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +8.2%.
• Sales- Specialty Engineered Materials: $340.6 million compared to the $323.86 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +14.4% year over year.
• Operating Income (Loss)- Specialty Engineered Materials: $49.7 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $45.55 million.
• Operating Income (Loss)- Color, Additives and Inks: $88.7 million versus $85.31 million estimated by two analysts on average.

View all Key Company Metrics for Avient here>>>

Shares of Avient have returned +4.2% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -2% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.