Big Lots (NYSE: BIG) reported earnings on March 6. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Feb. 2 (Q4), Big Lots met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins contracted, operating margins contracted, net margins were steady.

Revenue details
 Big Lots logged revenue of $1.75 billion. The 14 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see revenue of $1.75 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 5.0% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.67 billion.

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 $2.09. The 18 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $1.99 per share. GAAP EPS of $2.09 for Q4 were 19% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.76 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 39.6%, 60 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 11.2%, 40 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.9%, much about the same as the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.34 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.75.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $5.55 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.17.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 407 members out of 497 rating the stock outperform, and 90 members rating it underperform. Among 130 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 103 give Big Lots a green thumbs-up, and 27 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Big Lots is hold, with an average price target of $35.23.

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