Seaspan (NYSE: SSW) reported earnings on Feb. 29. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margin increased, operating margin expanded, and net margin contracted.

Revenue details
Seaspan notched revenue of $155.2 million. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see revenue of $156.6 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 32% higher than the prior-year quarter's $117.9 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 $0.31. The nine earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.28 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.13 for Q4 were 91% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.52 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 76.9%, 220 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 49.4%, 100 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 15.1%, 10,490 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $158.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.15.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $682.3 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.78.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS. Among 236 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 228 give Seaspan a green thumbs-up, and eight give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Seaspan is hold, with an average price target of $17.88.

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