Cooper Industries (NYSE: CBE) reported earnings on Jan. 24. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Cooper Industries beat expectations on revenues and on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins shrank, operating margins were steady, and net margins grew.

Revenue details
Cooper Industries recorded revenue of $1.4 billion. The 15 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw a top line of $1.3 billion. Sales were 9% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.3 billion.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $1.02. The 20 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.95 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $1 for Q4 were 17% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.85 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 32.2%, 90 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 13.3%, about the same as the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 11.6%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.3 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.98.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $5.7 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.26.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 169 members out of 187 rating the stock outperform, and 18 members rating it underperform. Among 73 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 69 give Cooper Industries a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Cooper Industries is outperform, with an average price target of $59.76.

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