Lancaster Colony (Nasdaq: LANC) reported earnings on Aug. 23. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended June 30 (Q4), Lancaster Colony beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins improved, operating margins increased, net margins contracted.

Revenue details
 Lancaster Colony chalked up revenue of $274.0 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for revenue of $263.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 7.0% higher than the prior-year quarter's $256.0 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 $0.95. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.79 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.95 for Q4 were 11% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.07 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%, 140 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 14.3%, 240 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.5%, 190 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $284.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.95.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.17 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.94.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 76 members out of 81 rating the stock outperform, and five members rating it underperform. Among 27 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 26 give Lancaster Colony a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Lancaster Colony is outperform, with an average price target of $75.00.