Providence Service (Nasdaq: PRSC) reported earnings on March 13. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins grew, operating margins were steady, net margins contracted.

Revenue details
 Providence Service reported revenue of $286.5 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see a top line of $283.9 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 17% higher than the prior-year quarter's $244.3 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 $0.26. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.25 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $0.26 for Q4 were 18% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.22 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.22 for Q4 were 48% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.42 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 9.4%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 2.9%, much about the same as the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.0%, 130 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $290.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.34.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.18 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.19.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 67 members out of 84 rating the stock outperform, and 17 members rating it underperform. Among 16 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 13 give Providence Service 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 Providence Service is outperform, with an average price target of $16.33.

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