Precision Castparts (NYSE: PCP) reported earnings on May 9. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended March 31 (Q4), Precision Castparts missed estimates on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins grew, operating margins dropped, net margins contracted.

Revenue details
 Precision Castparts logged revenue of $2.44 billion. The 17 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $2.49 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 26% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.93 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 $2.82. The 20 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $2.75 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $2.82 for Q4 were 24% higher than the prior-year quarter's $2.28 per share. (The prior-year quarter included -$0.04 per share in earnings from discontinued operations.) GAAP EPS of $2.81 for Q4 were 22% higher than the prior-year quarter's $2.30 per share. (The prior-year quarter included -$0.04 per share in earnings from discontinued operations.)

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 32.3%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 25.7%, 30 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 17.0%, 40 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $2.53 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $2.83.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $10.50 billion. The average EPS estimate is $12.03.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 1,287 members out of 1,318 rating the stock outperform, and 31 members rating it underperform. Among 380 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 376 give Precision Castparts a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Precision Castparts is outperform, with an average price target of $218.17.

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