Sunoco Logistics Partners (NYSE: SXL) reported earnings on Jan. 26. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins expanded, operating margins improved, net margins shrank.

Revenue details
Sunoco Logistics Partners booked revenue of $3.38 billion. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $2.64 billion. Sales were 52% higher than the prior-year quarter's $2.23 billion.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.99. The 12 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.64 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.78 for Q4 were 28% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.47 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 6.0%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 4.6%, 90 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 2.2%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $2.55 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.59.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $11.02 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.41.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 154 members out of 166 rating the stock outperform, and 12 members rating it underperform. Among 47 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 44 give Sunoco Logistics Partners 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 Sunoco Logistics Partners is hold, with an average price target of $34.06.

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