Arden Group (Nasdaq: ARDNA) reported earnings on March 11. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 29 (Q4), Arden Group beat expectations on revenues and whiffed on earnings per share.

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

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

Revenue details
Arden Group recorded revenue of $114.5 million. The one analyst polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for sales of $112.2 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 $1.41. The one earnings estimate compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $2.01 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $1.41 for Q4 were 15% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.65 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.96 for Q4 were 39% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.41 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 37.1%, much worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 8.5%, 240 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 5.2%, 140 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 98 members out of 103 rating the stock outperform, and five members rating it underperform. Among 37 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 33 give Arden Group a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Is Arden Group the right retailer for your portfolio? Learn how to maximize your investment income and "Secure Your Future With 9 Rock-Solid Dividend Stocks," including one above-average retailing powerhouse. Click here for instant access to this free report.