Cal Dive International (NYSE: DVR) reported earnings on Feb. 27. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins grew, operating margins grew, net margins contracted.

Revenue details
Cal Dive International reported revenue of $146.4 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $118.4 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 15% higher than the prior-year quarter's $127.4 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 -$0.06. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted -$0.05 per share. Non-GAAP EPS were -$0.06 for Q4 versus -$0.08 per share for the prior-year quarter. GAAP EPS were -$0.21 for Q4 against -$0.10 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 6.9%, 80 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -2.0%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -13.0%, 610 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $93.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.10.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $523.5 million. The average EPS estimate is -$0.01.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 511 members out of 533 rating the stock outperform, and 22 members rating it underperform. Among 118 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 112 give Cal Dive International a green thumbs-up, and six give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Cal Dive International is outperform, with an average price target of $2.25.

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