Colfax (NYSE: CFX) reported earnings on Feb. 6. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

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

Revenue details
 Colfax booked revenue of $1.03 billion. The nine analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $1.04 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $177.8 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 $0.42. The 10 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.39 per share. GAAP EPS were $0.13 for Q4 versus -$0.37 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 29.9%, 470 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 7.1%, 800 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.9%, 1,090 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $953.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.32.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $4.23 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.95.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 269 members out of 283 rating the stock outperform, and 14 members rating it underperform. Among 77 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 74 give Colfax a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Colfax is hold, with an average price target of $37.63.

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