Ship Finance International (NYSE: SFL) reported earnings on Feb. 25. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

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

Revenue details
 Ship Finance International logged revenue of $77.7 million. The five analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated revenue of $100.4 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 14% lower than the prior-year quarter's $76.1 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 $0.34. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.33 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $0.34 for Q4 were 17% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.41 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.60 for Q4 were 58% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.38 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 59.9%, much worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 53.1%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 77.9%, much better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $80.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.29.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $268.6 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.37.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 509 members out of 536 rating the stock outperform, and 27 members rating it underperform. Among 109 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 102 give Ship Finance International a green thumbs-up, and seven give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Ship Finance International is outperform, with an average price target of $19.02.

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