AboveNet (NYSE: ABVT) reported earnings on Feb. 28. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), AboveNet met expectations on revenue and crushed expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margin dropped, operating margin expanded, and net margin shrank.

Revenue details
AboveNet reported revenue of $121.6 million. The 10 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw a top line of $120.9 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 12% higher than the prior-year quarter's $108.1 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 $0.90. The 10 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.61 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.90 for Q4 were 5.9% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.85 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 63.8%, 80 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 26.8%, 270 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 19.8%, 80 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $125.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.63.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $525.5 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.77.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 42 members out of 48 rating the stock outperform, and six members rating it underperform. Among 15 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 14 give AboveNet 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 AboveNet is outperform, with an average price target of $73.15.

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