Sonus Networks (Nasdaq: SONS) reported earnings on Feb. 21. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Sonus Networks beat expectations on revenue and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margin improved, operating margin contracted, and net margin contracted.

Revenue details
Sonus Networks logged revenue of $74.3 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for revenue of $71.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 10% lower than the prior-year quarter's $83.0 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 $0.02. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.01 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.01 for Q4 were 75% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.04 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 63.7%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 6.1%, 820 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 5.0%, 880 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $60.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.00.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $269.5 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.02.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 377 members out of 400 rating the stock outperform, and 23 members rating it underperform. Among 75 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 71 give Sonus Networks 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 Sonus Networks is hold, with an average price target of $2.92.

Over the decades, small-cap stocks like Sonus Networks have provided market-beating returns, provided they're value-priced and have solid businesses. Read about a pair of companies with a lock on their markets in "Too Small to Fail: Two Small Caps the Government Won't Let Go Broke." Click here for instant access to this free report.