Atlas Energy (NYSE: ATLS) reported earnings on Feb. 28. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins dropped, operating margins dropped, and net margins increased.

Revenue details
Atlas Energy tallied revenue of $415.6 million. The one analyst polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated revenue of $360.5 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 60% higher than the prior-year quarter's $259.2 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 -$0.09. The one earnings estimate compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.54 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS were -$0.08 for Q4 versus -$0.14 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 13.4%, 510 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 1.0%, 220 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -1.0%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $418.4 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.43.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.92 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.93.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 229 members out of 248 rating the stock outperform, and 19 members rating it underperform. Among 94 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 87 give Atlas Energy a green thumbs-up, and seven give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Atlas Energy is outperform, with an average price target of $34.

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