Ventas (NYSE: VTR) reported earnings on Feb. 17. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

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

Revenue details
 Ventas logged revenue of $571.4 million. The 10 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for a top line of $563.4 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $267.7 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 $0.66. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.40 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.66 for Q4 were 35% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.49 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 61.8%, 650 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 28.8%, 1,520 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 33.8%, 480 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $571.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.35.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $2.33 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.46.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 164 members out of 198 rating the stock outperform, and 34 members rating it underperform. Among 63 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 53 give Ventas a green thumbs-up, and 10 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Ventas is outperform, with an average price target of $55.90.

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