McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) reported earnings on Jan. 24. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins were steady, operating margins improved, and net margins improved.

Revenue details
McDonald's reported revenue of $6.8 billion. The 22 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated a top line of $6.8 billion. Sales were 9.8% higher than the prior-year quarter's $6.2 billion.

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

EPS details
EPS came in at $1.33. The 23 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $1.30 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.33 for Q4 were 15% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.16 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 39.8%, about the same as the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 30.1%, 100 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 20.2%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $6.5 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.23.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $28.4 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.73.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 5,433 members out of 5,714 rating the stock outperform, and 281 members rating it underperform. Among 1,485 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 1,435 give McDonald's a green thumbs-up, and 50 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on McDonald's is outperform, with an average price target of $103.

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