LMI Aerospace (Nasdaq: LMIA) reported earnings March 9. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), LMI Aerospace missed estimates on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

Margins improved across the board.

Revenue details
LMI Aerospace recorded revenue of $65.0 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw revenue of $67.0 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 19% 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
EPS came in at $0.35. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.41 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.35 for Q4 were 35% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.26 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 22.3%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 8.7%, 230 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.3%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $67.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.40.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $288.6 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.87.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 125 members out of 131 rating the stock outperform, and six members rating it underperform. Among 27 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 26 give LMI Aerospace a green thumbs-up, and one gives it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on LMI Aerospace is buy, with an average price target of $27.50.

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