Air Methods (Nasdaq: AIRM) reported earnings on Feb. 29. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins contracted across the board.

Revenue details
Air Methods chalked up revenue of $193.3 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $192.3 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 29% higher than the prior-year quarter's $150.4 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 $1.15. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.09 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.96 for Q4 were 2.0% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.98 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 36.8%, 280 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 13.1%, 310 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.4%, 190 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $178.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.64.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $792.4 million. The average EPS estimate is $5.30.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 196 members out of 214 rating the stock outperform, and 18 members rating it underperform. Among 60 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 57 give Air Methods a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Air Methods is buy, with an average price target of $82.00.

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