Dun & Bradstreet (NYSE: DNB) reported earnings on Feb. 6. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

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

Revenue details
Dun & Bradstreet booked revenue of $498.7 million. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for sales of $500.8 million. Sales were 3.5% higher than the prior-year quarter's $481.7 million.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $2.21. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $2.10 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $1.93 for Q4 were 4.3% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.85 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 29.1%, 3,780 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 29.1%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 18.7%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $414.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.36.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.79 billion.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 112 members out of 127 rating the stock outperform, and 15 members rating it underperform. Among 49 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 45 give Dun & Bradstreet a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average price target is $79.14.