National Research (Nasdaq: NRCI) filed its 10-K on March 1. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
National Research chalked up revenue of $19.1 million. The one analyst polled by S&P Capital IQ expected sales of $19.1 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 20% higher than the prior-year quarter's $15.9 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.46. The two earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.40 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.46 for Q4 were 100% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.23 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 62.4%, 180 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 26.2%, 850 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 16.4%, 650 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $23 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.65.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $87.8 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.02.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 101 members rating the stock outperform and five members rating it underperform. Among 42 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 41 give National Research a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

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