CONSOL Energy (NYSE: CNX) reported earnings on Jan. 31. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins grew, operating margins grew, net margins dropped.

Revenue details
 CONSOL Energy recorded revenue of $1.39 billion. The 12 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $1.28 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 6.5% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.49 billion.

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 $0.43. The 24 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.22 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.65 for Q4 were 24% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.85 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 38.0%, 330 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 18.0%, 180 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 10.8%, 240 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.24 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.22.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $5.15 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.11.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 628 members out of 678 rating the stock outperform, and 50 members rating it underperform. Among 140 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 127 give CONSOL Energy a green thumbs-up, and 13 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on CONSOL Energy is outperform, with an average price target of $40.32.

Is CONSOL Energy the right energy stock for you? Read about a handful of timely, profit-producing plays on expensive crude in "3 Stocks for $100 Oil." Click here for instant access to this free report.