Canadian Natural Resources Limited (TSX: CNQ) reported earnings yesterday. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Canadian Natural Resources Limited beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
Canadian Natural Resources Limited reported revenue of $4.15 billion. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted sales of $3.95 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 23% higher than the prior-year quarter's $3.37 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 $0.87. The 12 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.84 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS were $0.75 for Q4 versus -$0.38 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 61.7%, 140 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 29.4%, 1,220 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 19.7%, 3,210 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $3.63 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.62.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $16.26 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.14.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,481 members rating the stock outperform and 30 members rating it underperform. Among 414 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 410 give Canadian Natural Resources Limited a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Canadian Natural Resources Limited is outperform, with an average price target of $46.75.

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