Hillenbrand (NYSE: HI) reported earnings on Feb. 1. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q1), Hillenbrand missed estimates on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

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

Revenue details
Hillenbrand booked revenue of $232.0 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $239.7 million. Sales were 9.8% higher than the prior-year quarter's $211.0 million.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.40. The two earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.36 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.50 for Q1 were 16% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.43 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 40.5%, 270 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 14.2%, 600 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 13.5%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $262.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.58.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $997.6 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.84.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 338 members out of 345 rating the stock outperform, and seven members rating it underperform. Among 122 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 121 give Hillenbrand a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Hillenbrand is outperform, with an average price target of $27.00.

Over the decades, small-cap stocks, like Hillenbrand have provided market-beating returns, provided they're value priced and have solid businesses. Read about a pair of companies with a lock on their markets in "Too Small to Fail: Two Small Caps the Government Won't Let Go Broke." Click here for instant access to this free report.