Energy Partners (NYSE: EPL) reported earnings on March 8. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue increased significantly and GAAP loss per share increased.

Gross margins improved, operating margins expanded, and net margins dropped.

Revenue details
Energy Partners reported revenue of $103.4 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected sales of $86.6 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 89% higher than the prior-year quarter's $54.7 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 $0.38. The five earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.38 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS were -$0.18 for Q4 against -$0.03 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 82.5%, 380 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 12.7%, 1,440 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -7.1%, 500 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $91.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.41.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $379.7 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.75.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 158 members out of 169 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among 45 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 41 give Energy Partners 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 Energy Partners is outperform, with an average price target of $39.50.

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