Gulf Island Fabrication (Nasdaq: GIFI) reported earnings on Feb. 27. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Gulf Island Fabrication whiffed on revenues and whiffed on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins improved, operating margins expanded, net margins dropped.

Revenue details
Gulf Island Fabrication reported revenue of $85.8 million. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $109.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $43.0 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 $0.11. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.28 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.12 were the same as 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 5.9%, 90 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 3.2%, 250 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 2.0%, 190 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $97.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.21.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $318.4 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.29.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 365 members out of 382 rating the stock outperform, and 17 members rating it underperform. Among 105 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 104 give Gulf Island Fabrication a green thumbs-up, and one gives it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Gulf Island Fabrication is outperform, with an average price target of $37.50.

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