j2 Global (Nasdaq: JCOM) reported earnings on Feb. 14. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), j2 Global met expectations on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins increased, operating margins grew, net margins contracted.

Revenue details
j2 Global reported revenue of $86.0 million. The eight analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $86.5 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 20% higher than the prior-year quarter's $71.0 million.

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 $0.64. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.64 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.62 for Q3 were 6.9% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.58 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 82.8%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 45.2%, 660 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 35.1%, 270 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $85.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.63.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $339.9 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.52.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 415 members out of 439 rating the stock outperform, and 24 members rating it underperform. Among 170 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 166 give j2 Global 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 j2 Global is outperform, with an average price target of $35.25.

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