Pacira Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: PCRX) reported earnings on March 7. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Pacira Pharmaceuticals beat expectations on revenues and missed expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
 Pacira Pharmaceuticals booked revenue of $10.5 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $9.8 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $4.2 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 -$0.50. The five earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated -$0.42 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.50 for Q4 versus -$0.72 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 7.4%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -151.5%, much better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -156.4%, much better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $13.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.38.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $78.1 million. The average EPS estimate is -$1.07.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 21 members out of 30 rating the stock outperform, and nine members rating it underperform. Among 10 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), seven give Pacira Pharmaceuticals a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Pacira Pharmaceuticals is buy, with an average price target of $21.20.