Asbury Automotive Group (NYSE: ABG) reported earnings on Feb. 14. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins improved across the board.

Revenue details
Asbury Automotive Group notched revenue of $1.09 billion. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw revenue of $1.09 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 6.8% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.02 billion.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.54. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.43 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.68 for Q4 were 325% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.16 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 16.5%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 3.7%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 2.0%, 150 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.08 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.41.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $4.63 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.05.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 101 members out of 117 rating the stock outperform, and 16 members rating it underperform. Among 33 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 32 give Asbury Automotive Group 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 Asbury Automotive Group is outperform, with an average price target of $25.10.

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