Corrections Corporation of America (NYSE: CXW) reported earnings on Feb. 8. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Corrections Corporation of America met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins contracted across the board.

Revenue details
Corrections Corporation of America reported revenue of $439.7 million. The six analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for revenue of $436.1 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 1.7% higher than the prior-year quarter's $432.2 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.41. The one earnings estimate compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.37 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.41 for Q4 were 5.1% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.39 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 30.5%, 110 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 18.4%, 180 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.2%, 90 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $431.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.34.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.78 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.62.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 341 members out of 361 rating the stock outperform, and 20 members rating it underperform. Among 105 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 100 give Corrections Corporation of America a green thumbs-up, and five give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Corrections Corporation of America is outperform, with an average price target of $28.75.

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