DCP Midstream Partners (NYSE: DPM) reported earnings on Feb. 27. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
DCP Midstream Partners recorded revenue of $450.5 million. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for revenue of $543.8 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 20% higher than the prior-year quarter's $418.4 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 $0.83. The nine earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.52 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $0.83 for Q4 were 113% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.39 per share. GAAP EPS were $0.87 for Q4 compared to -$0.19 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 28.2%, 900 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 13.1%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 10.5%, much better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $757.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.66.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $2.41 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.38.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 222 members out of 232 rating the stock outperform, and 10 members rating it underperform. Among 73 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 72 give DCP Midstream Partners a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on DCP Midstream Partners is outperform, with an average price target of $49.13.

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