Trina Solar Limited (NYSE: TSL) reported earnings yesterday. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Trina Solar Limited crushed expectations on revenues and missed expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins contracted across the board.

Revenue details
Trina Solar Limited reported revenue of $435.7 million. The 23 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated sales of $350.6 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 32% lower than the prior-year quarter's $641.8 million.

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

EPS details
EPS came in at -$0.93. The 21 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated -$0.43 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.93 for Q4 versus $2.12 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 7.1%, 2,430 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -14.4%, 3,700 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -15.1%, 3,770 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $333.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.33.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.68 billion. The average EPS estimate is -$0.31.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,074 members out of 1,275 rating the stock outperform, and 201 members rating it underperform. Among 270 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 190 give Trina Solar Limited a green thumbs-up, and 80 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Trina Solar Limited is hold, with an average price target of $7.62.

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