SPX (NYSE: SPW) reported earnings on Feb. 14. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

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

Revenue details
 SPX booked revenue of $1.44 billion. The 12 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see net sales of $1.38 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $581.2 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 $2.18. The 15 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.57 per share. GAAP EPS of $2.83 for Q4 were 130% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.23 per share. (The prior-year quarter included $0.58 per share in earnings from discontinued operations.)

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 28.0%, 40 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 9.0%, 640 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.8%, 100 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.20 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.25.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $5.26 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.01.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 166 members out of 177 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among 47 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 44 give SPX 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 SPX is outperform, with an average price target of $78.18.

Looking for alternatives to SPX? It takes more than great companies to build a fortune for the future. Learn the basic financial habits of millionaires next door and get focused stock ideas in our free report, "3 Stocks That Will Help You Retire Rich." Click here for instant access to this free report.