Viacom (Nasdaq: VIAB) reported earnings on Feb. 2. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q1), Viacom met expectations on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
Viacom reported revenue of $3.95 billion. The 26 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw a top line of $3.99 billion. Sales were 3.2% higher than the prior-year quarter's $3.83 billion.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $1.06. The 28 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.06 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.38 for Q1 were 62% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1 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 44.7%, 260 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 25.7%, 150 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 5.4%, 1,050 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $3.41 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.91.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $15.10 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.29.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 99 members out of 108 rating the stock outperform, and nine members rating it underperform. Among 50 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 49 give Viacom a green thumbs-up, and one gives it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Viacom is outperform, with an average price target of $55.54.

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