Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG) reported earnings on Feb. 24. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
Interpublic Group reported revenue of $2.07 billion. The 16 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated sales of $2.08 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 3.4% higher than the prior-year quarter's $2.01 billion.

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 $0.50. The 15 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.39 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.47 for Q4 were 31% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.36 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 45.1%, 190 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 18.6%, 200 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 12.6%, 270 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.51 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.07.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $7.18 billion. The average EPS estimate is $0.76.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 173 members out of 198 rating the stock outperform, and 25 members rating it underperform. Among 61 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 54 give Interpublic Group 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 Interpublic Group is outperform, with an average price target of $11.53.

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