Entropic Communications (Nasdaq: ENTR) reported earnings on Feb. 1. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Entropic Communications met expectations on revenue and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins improved, operating margins shrank, and net margins dropped.

Revenue details
Entropic Communications reported revenue of $56.2 million. The 10 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected revenue of $56.0 million. Sales were 21% lower than the prior-year quarter's $70.8 million.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.12. The 12 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.11 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.03 for Q4 were 95% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.55 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 54.9%, 120 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 7.8%, 1,620 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 4.1%, 6,450 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $56.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.11.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $246.0 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.53.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 278 members out of 312 rating the stock outperform, and 34 members rating it underperform. Among 68 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 60 give Entropic Communications a green thumbs-up, and eight give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Entropic Communications is outperform, with an average price target of $7.22.

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