Charles River Laboratories International (NYSE: CRL) filed its 10-K on Feb. 27. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Charles River Laboratories International beat expectations on revenues and crushed expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins shrank, operating margins contracted, net margins expanded.

Revenue details
Charles River Laboratories International reported revenue of $291.0 million. The 14 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw a top line of $282.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 3.3% higher than the prior-year quarter's $281.7 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 $0.69. The 16 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.56 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS were $0.55 for Q4 versus -$6.03 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 34.8%, 220 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 18.0%, 140 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.3%, 13,130 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $286.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.64.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.15 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.68.

Investor sentiment

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Charles River Laboratories International is hold, with an average price target of $35.30.

Over the decades, small-cap stocks, like Charles River Laboratories International have provided market-beating returns, provided they're value priced and have solid businesses. Read about a pair of companies with a lock on their markets in "Too Small to Fail: Two Small Caps the Government Won't Let Go Broke." Click here for instant access to this free report.