Shaw Group (NYSE: SHAW) reported earnings on Dec. 21. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Nov. 30 (Q1), Shaw Group met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue dropped slightly, and earnings per share rose significantly.

Margins improved across the board.

Revenue details
Shaw Group recorded revenue of $1.52 billion. The 14 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted sales of $1.5 billion. Sales were 1.7% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.54 billion

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.48. The 15 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.44 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS were $0.68 for Q1 against -$0.19 per share for the prior-year quarter.

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 7.9%, 390 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 3.3%, 390 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 3.2%, 420 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 $1.4 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.45.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $6.0 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.05.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 555 members out of 592 rating the stock outperform, and 37 members rating it underperform. Among 122 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 110 give Shaw Group a green thumbs-up, and 12 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Shaw Group is hold, with an average price target of $27.93.