Barrick Gold (NYSE: ABX) reported earnings on Feb. 16. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

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

Revenue details
Barrick Gold booked revenue of $3.79 billion. The six analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw net sales of $3.75 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 29% higher than the prior-year quarter's $2.95 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 $1.17. The 15 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $1.27 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.96 for Q4 were 7.9% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.89 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 54.3%, 670 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 45.6%, 150 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 25.3%, 510 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $3.93 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.14.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $16.41 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.33.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,960 members rating the stock outperform, and 119 members rating it underperform. Among 477 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 448 give Barrick Gold a green thumbs-up, and 29 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Barrick Gold is outperform, with an average price target of $66.78.

Is Barrick Gold the right metals stock for you? Find out the best way to profit from inflation and gold with a little-known company we profile in, "The Tiny Gold Stock Digging Up Massive Profits." Click here for instant access to this free report.