Manitowoc (NYSE: MTW) reported earnings on Jan. 31. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins shrank, operating margins dropped, net margins grew.

Revenue details
 Manitowoc booked revenue of $1.03 billion. The 13 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for a top line of $960.3 million. Sales were 55% higher than the prior-year quarter's $830.9 million.

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

EPS details
 Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.14. The 16 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.13 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS were $0.12 for Q4 compared to -$0.50 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 20.2%, 570 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 5.4%, 150 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.5%, 1,140 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $814.4 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.09.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $3.94 billion. The average EPS estimate is $0.94.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,754 members out of 1,804 rating the stock outperform, and 50 members rating it underperform. Among 518 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 515 give Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc is outperform, with an average price target of $14.42.

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