Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE) reported earnings on Feb. 2. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Spectra Energy missed estimates on revenues and missed expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins contracted across the board.

Revenue details
Spectra Energy reported revenue of $1.43 billion. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted sales of $1.46 billion. Sales were 3.3% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.38 billion.

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

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.44. The 11 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.49 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.44 for Q4 were 10% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.49 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 31.0%, 2,560 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 31.0%, 440 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 20.2%, 290 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.69 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.57.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $5.75 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.90.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 791 members rating the stock outperform, and 30 members rating it underperform. Among 254 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 250 give Spectra Energy a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Spectra Energy is outperform, with an average price target of $30.27.

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