Shuffle Master Beats Analyst Estimates on EPS (SHFL)

Shuffle Master Beats Analyst Estimates on EPS

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Shuffle Master (Nasdaq: SHFL ) reported earnings on Dec. 20. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ending Oct. 31 (the fourth quarter), Shuffle Master beat expectations on revenue and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
Shuffle Master reported revenue of $66 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for sales of $62 million. Sales were 12% higher than the prior-year quarter's $59 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions.

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.18. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.17 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.18 for Q4 were 64% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.11 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Figures may be non-GAAP to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 62.5%, 250 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 21.9%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 14.8%, 510 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods.

Looking ahead
What does the future hold?

Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $48 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.10. (There are three revenue estimates and five EPS estimates.)

For the full year ending 2012, the average estimate for revenue is $245 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.69. (There are five revenue estimates and six EPS estimates.)

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 404 members out of 482 voting that the stock will outperform, and 78 members voting it will underperform. Among 166 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 137 give Shuffle Master a green thumbs-up, and 29 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Shuffle Master is that it will outperform, with an average price target of $12.71.

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Seth Jayson had no position in any company mentioned here at the time of publication. You can view his stock holdings here. He is co-advisor of Motley Fool Hidden Gems, which provides new small-cap ideas every month, backed by a real-money portfolio. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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