Heckmann (NYSE: HEK) reported earnings on March 11. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins shrank, operating margins grew, net margins expanded.

Revenue details
 Heckmann booked revenue of $113.2 million. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $101.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $51.7 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 $0.03. The seven earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated -$0.03 per share. GAAP EPS were $0.03 for Q4 compared to -$0.02 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 6.9%, 630 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -15.6%, 210 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 4.4%, 920 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $166.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.03.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $781.5 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.21.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 513 members out of 529 rating the stock outperform, and 16 members rating it underperform. Among 116 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 110 give Heckmann a green thumbs-up, and six give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Heckmann is hold, with an average price target of $5.29.

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