Ebix (Nasdaq: EBIX) reported earnings yesterday. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins increased, operating margins expanded, and net margins contracted.

Revenue details
Ebix reported revenue of $44.1 million. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for a top line of $43.3 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 26% higher than the prior-year quarter's $35.1 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 $0.44. The two earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.41 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.44 for Q4 were 4.8% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.42 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 80.3%, 220 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 37.6%, 300 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 39.3%, 610 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $44.4 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.40.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $183.7 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.64.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,458 members rating the stock outperform and 41 members rating it underperform. Among 382 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 374 give Ebix a green thumbs-up, and eight give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Ebix is buy, with an average price target of $29.

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