Golar LNG (Nasdaq: GLNG) reported earnings on March 4. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Golar LNG met expectations on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

Margins shrank across the board.

Revenue details
 Golar LNG reported revenue of $111.8 million. The 11 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw a top line of $111.2 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 39% higher than the prior-year quarter's $80.6 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 $0.28. The 10 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.45 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.28 for Q4 were 33% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.21 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 74.9%, much worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 47.7%, 410 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 20.4%, 90 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $110.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.46.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $499.7 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.06.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 548 members out of 571 rating the stock outperform, and 23 members rating it underperform. Among 140 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 133 give Golar LNG 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 Golar LNG is outperform, with an average price target of $49.53.

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