Consolidated Communications Holdings (Nasdaq: CNSL) reported earnings on March 7. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Consolidated Communications Holdings beat slightly on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
 Consolidated Communications Holdings tallied revenue of $160.1 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see a top line of $157.9 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 71% higher than the prior-year quarter's $93.7 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 $0.20. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.20 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $0.20 for Q4 were 29% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.28 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.05 for Q4 were 81% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.26 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 61.4%, 80 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 14.4%, 240 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.3%, 710 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $158.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.20.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $641.0 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.86.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 68 members out of 79 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among 20 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 19 give Consolidated Communications Holdings 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 Consolidated Communications Holdings is hold, with an average price target of $17.00.

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