MDC Holdings (NYSE: MDC) reported earnings on Jan. 31. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 MDC Holdings logged revenue of $390.9 million. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for revenue of $364.0 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 64% higher than the prior-year quarter's $247.4 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 $0.59. The nine earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.42 per share. GAAP EPS were $0.59 for Q4 compared to -$0.40 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 17.9%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 5.8%, 470 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 7.3%, 1,490 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $278.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.16.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.51 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.56.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 480 members out of 632 rating the stock outperform, and 152 members rating it underperform. Among 224 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 172 give MDC Holdings a green thumbs-up, and 52 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on MDC Holdings is hold, with an average price target of $39.40.

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