US Physical Therapy (NYSE: USPH) reported earnings on March 7. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), US Physical Therapy met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins dropped, operating margins increased, net margins shrank.

Revenue details
 US Physical Therapy logged revenue of $62.7 million. The six analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see net sales of $62.3 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were the same as the prior-year quarter's.

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 $0.34. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.33 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.34 for Q4 were 51% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.69 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 24.6%, 180 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 12.9%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.4%, 720 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $66.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.40.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $263.9 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.59.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 240 members out of 244 rating the stock outperform, and four members rating it underperform. Among 76 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 75 give US Physical Therapy 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 US Physical Therapy is outperform, with an average price target of $30.83.

Is US Physical Therapy the best health care stock for you? Learn how to maximize your investment income and "Secure Your Future With 9 Rock-Solid Dividend Stocks," including one above-average health care logistics company. Click here for instant access to this free report.