Global Partners (NYSE: GLP) reported earnings on March 14. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
 Global Partners booked revenue of $5.12 billion. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $4.36 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 25% higher than the prior-year quarter's $4.11 billion.

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 $0.81. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.52 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.81 for Q4 were 76% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.46 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 2.0%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 0.6%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 0.4%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $4.44 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.53.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $18.25 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.59.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 142 members out of 149 rating the stock outperform, and seven members rating it underperform. Among 38 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 37 give Global Partners 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 Global Partners is hold, with an average price target of $27.75.

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