Focus Media Holding (Nasdaq: FMCN) reported earnings on March 25. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
Focus Media Holding logged revenue of $250.2 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected revenue of $249.8 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 $0.71. The two earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.72 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $0.71 for Q4 were 1.4% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.70 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.55 for Q4 were 129% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.24 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 68.5%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 40.1%, 220 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 30.6%, much better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $219.7 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.55.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.06 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.66.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,008 members out of 1,121 rating the stock outperform, and 113 members rating it underperform. Among 272 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 224 give Focus Media Holding a green thumbs-up, and 48 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Focus Media Holding is outperform, with an average price target of $35.10.

Looking for alternatives to Focus Media Holding? It takes more than great companies to build a fortune for the future. Learn the basic financial habits of millionaires next door and get focused stock ideas in our free report, "3 Stocks That Will Help You Retire Rich." Click here for instant access to this free report.