Verisk Analytics (Nasdaq: VRSK) reported earnings on Feb. 26. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

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

Revenue details
Verisk Analytics tallied revenue of $415.7 million. The 12 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see sales of $409.6 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 18% higher than the prior-year quarter's $351.6 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 $0.63. The 13 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.54 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $0.63 for Q4 were 34% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.47 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.57 for Q4 were 21% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.47 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 59.1%, 100 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 38.2%, 160 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 23.6%, 80 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $403.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.53.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.71 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.29.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 81 members out of 92 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among 29 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 27 give Verisk Analytics a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Verisk Analytics is outperform, with an average price target of $53.55.

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