Vulcan Materials (NYSE: VMC) reported earnings on Feb. 16. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Vulcan Materials beat expectations on revenues and exceeded expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew and GAAP loss per share dropped.

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
Vulcan Materials reported revenue of $614.6 million. The 14 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see a top line of $600.2 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 4.8% higher than the prior-year quarter's $586.2 million.

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

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at -$0.14. The 17 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast -$0.37 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS were -$0.21 for Q4 versus -$0.37 per share for the prior-year quarter.

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 12.1%, 340 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 1.1%, 790 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -4.5%, 350 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $508.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.46.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $2.66 billion. The average EPS estimate is -$0.48.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 453 members out of 499 rating the stock outperform, and 48 members rating it underperform. Among 163 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 152 give Vulcan Materials a green thumbs-up, and 11 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Vulcan Materials is hold, with an average price target of $37.75.