Micrel (Nasdaq: MCRL) reported earnings on Jan. 26. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins shrank across the board.

Revenue details
Micrel recorded revenue of $58.8 million. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected sales of $59.3 million. Sales were 22% lower than the prior-year quarter's $75.6 million.

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

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.08. The two earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.08 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.08 for Q4 were 64% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.22 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 50.5%, 530 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 9.3%, 1,540 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.5%, 960 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $61.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.12.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $275.7 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.60.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 114 members out of 120 rating the stock outperform, and six members rating it underperform. Among 45 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 42 give Micrel a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Micrel is outperform, with an average price target of $16.50.

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